1,2,3...Go Ahead and Sit Down

Have you ever tried to build disassembled furniture without the directions? Even if you don't have the directions, if you have the picture on the box, it gives you the visual image of what it is supposed to look like, and you can at least begin to try to put the pieces together, based on the picture of what you see. Similarly, most puzzles, with hundreds and even thousands of pieces, provide a picture on the box, so that you have the visual imagery of what all the pieces, put together, look like, so you can begin to put it all together, to form a complete picture.

Ephesians 1:20 says, "...which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenlies..."

In reading the scriptures, we often glance over a text, and perhaps assume a meaning; either taught or caught, in our Christian experience, but often there is more relevance there, perhaps, then what we originally imagined.

The word "set", is the Greek word (kathizo), [2523, Strongs], from (kata), 2596, "down", and (hizo), [not found in NT], "to cause to sit", giving us the general meaning of "to cause to sit down".

A slight variation, and more literal rendering of the text, would be, "...He had Him sit, at His right hand..."

The idea of "setting" Him, at His right hand, is a causative action of God, the Father, expressed toward the Lord Jesus Christ.

One

The first area of significance, is that the term is not referring to rest, but rather to a position.

"Sitting" was often a mark of honor or authority in the ancient world. A king sat, to receive his subjects; a court sat to give judgment; a teacher sat to teach; respected leaders sat, while others would stand, and in these examples, a throne, or special "seat", was designated.

Archaeological material from Egypt; the Near East; and the Greek Hellenistic world, demonstrate that "sitting" is a distinctive sign of deity. In fact, the gods were depicted as sitting, while their subjects would stand to pray before them. This example was transferred to rulers, specifically kings, where throughout antiquity there is this close connection between the gods, and the kings, who have delegated authority from the gods, to rule on their behalf. This explains why, in archaeology and ancient literature, rulers are enthroned like gods.

Ephesians 1:20 is specifically referring to the enthronement of a ruler; in this case, the Lord Jesus Christ, being placed on the throne, by God, the Father, after having conquered death and the grave. He was made to sit down, in the sense of being set or appointed, having the kingdom conferred upon Him, to rule in a position of power and governance.

Two

The second important significance regarding this word, in this passage, is that it conveys the idea of something that is "immovable". In other words, Christ is not just seated as the kingly ruler over all, but his is a position of permanence; it is never going to change. He is, and always will be, the kingly ruler over all.

Three

The third area of significance, is that we are raised up together, and made to sit together, in the heavenly realm, in Christ Jesus (Eph.2:6). His victory has become our victory, and we reign with Him, as co-regents, exercising His will, in the earth now, and for all eternity, in the kingdom He has prepared for those who love Him. We have the same kingly position, and it too, is one of immovable; unchangeable permanence.

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours