And some dingers are historic. Outfielders don't even move. Fans gasp. Sportscasters get out the tape measure. There are big flies.
And then there are REALLY Big Flies. The ballpark can't hold them. Even Yellowstone Park can't hold them. They don't just go over the fence, they go WAY over. WAY above.
Paul lets us know that when it comes to the ability to rule and reign, Jesus' power goes WAY over. His heavenly Father has given Him a seat that's "far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come" (Eph 1:21).
Christ doesn't have track power. He doesn't have occasional power. He has ALL power! Let's just sit back and see where this one lands, shall we?
Jesus isn't just slightly in charge. He doesn't have just a little authority. He's not a two-bit dictator of a third-world country. Paul makes it perfectly clear that He is "far above" everything and everyone who thinks their hot stuff (v21).
He uses the Greek term ‘υπερανω/huperano, a compound word which literally means super above or hyper superior.
Jesus isn't just a power player. He is THE Power Player. He's unmatched. He's unchallenged. He's unrivaled.
There is absolutely no question that He is the King of ALL kings. He is the Lord of ALL lords. He's super above everyone and everything else. WAY over. WAY above.
The apostle lets us know that it doesn't matter who Jesus is dealing with, no one holds a candle to His command and control. When it comes to His power and authority, there's no one who can neutralize Him.
Is He above some? Above a few? Above a lot? Above most? No. He's above all. All. That pretty much covers it.
In baseball, some pitchers don't surrender homers. Some ballparks don't give up many long balls. That doesn't matter to Jesus. No pitcher can stop Him. No park can hold Him. He goes over. WAY over. WAY above.
When His heavenly Dad sat His Son down right next to Him, He put Him in charge over the entire universe. There's not one corner of His creation that He fails to rule. Every. Last. Inch.
Again, the Apostle Paul closes every loophole. Jesus is far above all rule. Every leader answers to Him. Jesus is far above all authority. He has the ultimate jurisdiction. Jesus is far above all power.
Want to challenge Him when it comes to raw strength? Go ahead. It will not end well for you. Jesus is far above all dominion. He's the ultimate Leader and King. All rule. All authority. All power. All dominion.
Paul wants his readers to have a clear picture of Jesus and His power. Jesus isn't just some disenfranchised Rabbi from the boondocks spouting crazy talk about God's kingdom.
Jesus is God. Jesus is the long awaited, long promised Messiah. He would be the One who squishes Satan's head (Gen 3:15). He would be the One to fulfill God's promise to King David. "I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish His kingdom" (2Sam 7:12).
The prophet Isaiah talked about the incredible power and authority of the One who is to come. "The government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Is 9:6).
Jesus is the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords (Rev 19:16). All rule. All authority. All power. All dominion.
The apostle tries to get it through our heads that Jesus isn't a governing short-timer. He's no lame duck. He's no one-termer. Christ rules "above every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come" (v21).
He rules forever. Forever. For. Ever. Gabriel told a pregnant teen mom named Mary that her Son was Someone VERY special. Someone who would sit on the throne for eternity.
"The Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end" (Lk 1:32-33).
Paul wrote that because Jesus humbled Himself, His Father lifted Him way up and for all time. "Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil 2:9-10).
He rules forever. Forever. For. Ever.
How does this fact impact you and me? First of all, I'm not running the show. I'm not in charge. From the side of pride, I must remember that the entire point of the world isn't me, my satisfaction and my happiness.
As Rick Warren points out from the get-go: "It's not about you." The enemy lied to our first parents and tempted them with the idea that they "will be like God" (Gen 3:5). I'm not God. You're not God. Jesus is God.
Second, what a relief it is to admit that we're not in charge of the whole shooting match. I've spent most of my life trying to sit behind the wheel and graciously allow God to be my co-pilot.
Sorry. It doesn't work that way. As Carrie Underwood sings, "Jesus take the wheel!" Let Him lead. It's what He does best.
Third, it reassures us that the One who is not only all-powerful but all-loving and wants His best for us is in charge. He's got plans. Plans for you and me (Jer 29:11). Good plans. Prosperous plans. Hopeful plans.
And if we love and trust Jesus, He make sure that absolutely everything works together for our good (Rom 8:28). Please note that it does NOT say for our happiness or enjoyment. FOR. OUR. GOOD.
The big takeaway for both us and the Ephesians is to relax. Jesus is in charge. He's on the throne. He's ruling now. He's ruling forever.
When it comes to raw power, He goes over. WAY over. WAY above. Let's sit back and see where this one lands.
©2013
Jay Jennings
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