Q: Wherein consists Christ's exaltation?
A: Christ's exaltation consists in his rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day.
Hebrews 1:3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
This question, along with last week's question, really do serve as a wonderful summary of the gospel. Last week we looked at Christ's humiliation, at what he suffered for the sake of God's people. This week, our hearts are lifted in glorious hope as we look at Christ's supreme victory. It's a supreme victory over sin and death. The fact that God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, raised the Son from the dead reminds us that the Father received the payment of Christ's death as satisfactory. The debt of sin has been paid for the people of God. There is nothing else owed. The resurrection is evidence of it! It is the assurance of our own salvation, our own victory over sin and death. It is the assurance that we too will be raised with Christ.
Christ, then, was not only raised from the dead, he also ascended into heaven. He was glorified. He is seated at the right hand of the Father. He upholds and rules all things. There is no greater seat of honor than the one in which Christ sits. He truly is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He upholds and reigns over the entire universe. And it is this glorious King, this Lord who humbled himself, who allowed hands that he created to put him to death, who submitted to a corrupt government and system of justice, it is he who will one day return to judge the world. Then the kings and queens, prime ministers, dictators, presidents, congressmen, judges, and every single person who believes they are sovereign over their own lives will see Jesus for who he is. They will truly see who is Lord, and it will be terrible for them.
But brothers and sisters, we will see him as well, and for us, what a glorious, wonderful day it will be. For us, it will be the grand day of the return of the King. It will be the day when God's kingdom is fully restored. It will be the day when we are no longer aliens in a strange world. It will be the day when Jesus Christ, our risen Lord and King, will make his reign and rule known forever. Satan and all who have followed him will be thrown into the great pit forever, and sin and death will be no more. The pains and sufferings of this life will be wiped out of our memories forever. It will be the full measure of Christ's exaltation, and we, brothers and sisters, will be glorified with him! Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!