Bible League: Living His Word And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body. . .According to our verses for today, there are two things that God the Father has done for the benefit of the church. He has appointed Jesus Christ to be the head over everything and He has placed all things under His feet. What does it mean that Jesus Christ has been appointed to be the head over everything? In virtue of His victory on the cross, Jesus sat down at the right hand of "the Majesty in heaven" (Hebrews 1:3) and from their rules over all things in the created order. He rules over everything in the spiritual realm of the created order, including the angelic hosts. He rules over everything in the material realm of the created order as well, including the physical universe, the plant realm, the animal realm, and the human realm. Most notably in this context, within the human realm Jesus has been placed as the head of the church, which is His body. What does it mean that all things have been placed under the feet of Jesus Christ? In virtue of His victory on the cross, God placed all the enemies of Christ and His church under Christ's feet. In ancient times conquerors would place their feet on the necks of those they conquered as a symbol of the conquest. That's why Joshua had his chief men place their feet on the necks of the kings they conquered (Joshua 10:24). The Apostle Paul is alluding to that practice here as well as to Psalm 110:1: '"The LORD says to my lord: "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.'" Although Paul knew there were battles still to be fought (I Corinthians 15:25-27), he also knew that Christ's victory gave him essential control over Satan, demons, and the people they influence. Thus, everything in the created order is under the control of Jesus Christ and, in particular, His enemies in the created order have been ignominiously placed under His feet. God did all this for the benefit of the church. How does this benefit the church? Since Jesus is in control, nothing within the created order, especially the enemies, will be able to thwart the mission of the church. That's why your part in Christ's prophecy that we will be His witnesses to the ends of the earth is being fulfilled day by day (Acts 1:8). Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingIsaiah 56, 57, 58 Isaiah 56 -- Keep justice, and do righteousness; for my salvation is near to come NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Isaiah 57 -- The blessed death of the righteous; Leaders Rebuked; Comfort for the Contrite NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Isaiah 58 -- True Fasting; Keeping the Sabbath NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading 1 Thessalonians 3 1 Thessalonians 3 -- Encouragement from Timothy's Report NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I'm going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives.Insight Paul led many people to Christ and helped them mature spiritually. Perhaps one reason for his success as a spiritual father was the deep concern he felt for his spiritual children; he compared his pain over their faithlessness to the pain of childbirth. Challenge We should have the same intense care for those to whom we are spiritual parents. When you lead people to Christ, remember to stand by them to help them grow. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Malachi 3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming?His first coming was without external pomp or show of power, and yet in truth there were few who could abide its testing might. Herod and all Jerusalem with him were stirred at the news of the wondrous birth. Those who supposed themselves to be waiting for him, showed the fallacy of their professions by rejecting him when he came. His life on earth was a winnowing fan, which tried the great heap of religious profession, and few enough could abide the process. But what will his second advent be? What sinner can endure to think of it? "He shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked." When in his humiliation he did but say to the soldiers, "I am he," they fell backward; what will be the terror of his enemies when he shall more fully reveal himself as the "I am?" His death shook earth and darkened heaven, what shall be the dreadful splendour of that day in which as the living Saviour, he shall summon the quick and dead before him? O that the terrors of the Lord would persuade men to forsake their sins and kiss the Son lest he be angry! Though a lamb, he is yet the lion of the tribe of Judah, rending the prey in pieces; and though he breaks not the bruised reed, yet will he break his enemies with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. None of his foes shall bear up before the tempest of his wrath, or hide themselves from the sweeping hail of his indignation; but his beloved blood washed people look for his appearing with joy, and hope to abide it without fear: to them he sits as a refiner even now, and when he has tried them they shall come forth as gold. Let us search ourselves this morning and make our calling and election sure, so that the coming of the Lord may cause no dark forebodings in our mind. O for grace to cast away all hypocrisy, and to be found of him sincere and without rebuke in the day of his appearing. Daily Light on the Daily Path Psalm 59:9 Because of his strength I will watch for You, For God is my stronghold.2 Samuel 22:2,3 He said, "The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; • My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; My savior, You save me from violence. Psalm 2:7 "I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Isaiah 59:19 So they will fear the name of the LORD from the west And His glory from the rising of the sun, For He will come like a rushing stream Which the wind of the LORD drives. Hebrews 13:6 so that we confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?" Psalm 27:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? Psalm 125:2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the LORD surrounds His people From this time forth and forever. Psalm 63:7 For You have been my help, And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy. Psalm 31:3 For You are my rock and my fortress; For Your name's sake You will lead me and guide me. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. 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