By the right hand of God exalted

Peter’s sermon bore abundant testimony to the accuracy of the prophetic scriptures. In it he cites the prophet Joel and King David; the former originated during the period of the divided kingdom, the latter, when the kingdom was united. One dealt with the restoration by the Spirit poured out upon all flesh, the other the resurrection of the Son in His conquest over the grave. Both had an initial fulfilment and yet still have a future, ultimate fulfilment. It will be when the King and His kingdom will be over all. He will occupy a literal throne upon the earth and reign for a literal thousand years, Rev. 20. 6.

The Lord has always occupied the honoured place with the Father. In eternity past, we see Him daily His delight and rejoicing always before Him, Prov. 8. 30. In His earthly ministry, both at the beginning and throughout, the voice from heaven confirmed that honoured place with the words, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’, Matt. 17. 5. He, the perfect Man, was the untainted, blessed Man of Psalm 1 who always did the Father’s will, always set the Lord before His face, and always did those things that pleased Him, John 8. 29. All the way to the cross, He was in constant communion with the Father, working with Him as He approached the place of sacrifice, 5. 17. Hebrews chapter 1 verse 3 reminds us that after enduring the cross and despising the shame, He ascended to the right hand of the Majesty on High where He now sits by virtue of His finished work, having purged our sins. It is the place where He also stands to strengthen us in our witness for Him, Acts 7. 55; where He intercedes for us in our need, Rom. 8. 34; and where He waits until His enemies be made His footstool. It is also the place which proves that angels and principalities have been made subject unto Him, 1 Pet. 3. 22,and where believers ought to focus their affections, Col. 3. 1.

The One who was made sin for us is also the One who has been made both Lord and Christ, Acts 2. 36. Through His humiliation came His exaltation and the Name which is above every name, ‘by the right hand of God exalted’.