The Finished Word

Through his Death and Resurrection, Jesus founded one new covenant community, One New Man, to whom we are united by faith – Ephesians 2:11-22. The Apostle Paul is uncompromising. Considering what Jesus accomplished on the Cross, no longer can there be divisions between Jews and Gentiles in the community of faith. “ You all are one in Christ Jesus .” By his sacrificial death, Christ “ dismantled the wall of partition ” that kept Jews and Gentiles apart, so “ he might reconcile them both in one body for God through the Cross .”

The man who decides to follow Jesus joins his “ Kingdom of Priests ,” and as one of his priestly representatives, the new disciple rules with him, both now and in the future. This understanding raises the question: How, exactly, does a believer participate in the sovereignty of his Lord and exercise his authority? Fortunately, Jesus and Paul have provided us with straightforward answers.

The present sovereignty of Jesus is based on his past Death and Resurrection, and His disciples participate in his reign on the Earth. Like him, their position is paradoxical. It is characterized by self-sacrificial service rather than the suppression of unredeemed humanity. The shedding of his blood is what consecrated them as “ priests ,” and priestly service for others IS how they rule with him.