Lord of All

Jesus has reigned as Sovereign over the Cosmos since his death and resurrection. Already he sits on the messianic Throne. Because of his death on the Cross, God resurrected and installed him as the Lord over all things, including the nations of the Earth. Before his ascension, he declared that God had granted him all authority whether in Heaven or on Earth. His sovereignty is without limits.

In Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of man is?” In response, Peter declared, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

[Matterhorn - Photo by Samuel Ferrara on Unsplash]

Jesus disclosed what it meant to be the Messiah of Israel. He must “go to Jerusalem and suffer many things of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed,” though God would resurrect him on the third day. Before kingship, he was called to become the Suffering Servant of Yahweh - (Matthew 16:13-28, Isaiah 53:1-12).

Since his death and resurrection, Jesus has been summoning his disciples to follow his path by denying themselves and “taking up the cross” in obedience and self-sacrificial service for his Kingdom.

In the Gospel of Mark, the Son of God was not recognized as such by any human being until his death. But God raised him from the dead, and one day, he will return in glory to judge all things. On that day, all men will behold and recognize him when he “arrives on the clouds.” However, before his exaltation, he first endured unjust suffering at the hands of unrighteous men.

At one point, Jesus promised that some of his disciples would not die until they saw the “Son of man coming in his kingdom,” a clause that alludes to a vision in the Book of Daniel:

• “I continued looking in the visions of the night, when, behold, with the clouds of the heavens, one like a son of man was coming, and to the Ancient of days he approached, and before him they brought him near; and to him were given dominion and dignity and kingship, that all peoples, races and tongues unto him should do service, his dominion was an everlasting dominion ” – (Daniel 7:13-14).

It was after his resurrection that he announced his receipt of “all authority.” As the enthroned Messiah, he possessed this absolute sovereignty in heaven and on Earth, and this dramatic change was foreseen by Daniel. Moreover, his declaration just prior to his ascension echoed the messianic prophecy from the Second Psalm:

• (Psalm 2:7-8) – “Let me tell of a decree, Yahweh said to me, You are my son. I, this day, have begotten you. Ask of me and let me give nations as your inheritance, and as your possession, the ends of the earth.”

Therefore, Jesus now sends his disciples to proclaim the Gospel and his sovereignty to all nations, to the “ends of the earth.” He is the Ruler over the nations and of the “kings of the Earth.” His disciples are his envoys who proclaim his sovereignty and Kingdom to the furthest corner of the planet. All men are called to submit to his Lordship while time remains to do so before the inevitable judgment of the nations - (Matthew 25:31-46, Revelation 1:5-6).

Furthermore, it is because of his faithfulness “unto death, yea death upon a cross,” that God raised him from the dead and made him absolute Lord. It is the Crucified One who is now the “King of kings and Lord of lords”- (Acts 2:34-36, Ephesians 1:20-22).

Thus, anyone who rejects the Gospel announced by Jesus and his Apostles defies his sovereignty and aligns himself with the “nations that rage” against Yahweh’s Messiah - (Psalm 2:1-2).

[Download PDF copy from Google Drive]

RELATED POSTS:

• On David's Throne

• His Present Reign

• The Anointed Servant