Having completed his work on earth, Jesus Christ is raised to God's right hand where he receives honour, power and glory.
Jesus Christ is exalted to God's right hand
1 Peter 3:21–22 God's right hand is the position of authority second only to the Father. See also Matthew 26:64 parallels Mark 14:62, Luke 22:69; Acts 2:33, Acts 3:20–21, Acts 7:55–56; Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 12:2
And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also — not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God — through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him.
Jesus Christ is exalted because he first humbled himself
Luke 24:26 See also Philippians 2:6–11; 1 Timothy 3:16; Revelation 5:6–14, Revelation 7:17, Revelation 22:3
Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and then to enter His glory?”
Jesus Christ's exaltation follows his resurrection and ascension
1 Peter 1:21 See also Mark 16:19; Acts 13:37; Ephesians 1:20
Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him; and so your faith and hope are in God.
Jesus Christ's exaltation is predicted in the OT
As God's servant
Isaiah 52:13 This “servant” is a specific prediction of Jesus Christ.
Behold, My Servant will prosper; He will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
Jesus Christ is exalted by God the Father
Philippians 2:9–11 See also Acts 2:36, Acts 5:31
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, 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.
The work of the exalted Christ
As Saviour
Acts 5:31 See also Hebrews 7:25
God exalted Him to His right hand as Prince and Savior, in order to grant repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.
As high priest and advocate
Romans 8:34 See also Hebrews 4:14, Hebrews 7:24–26, Hebrews 8:1–2, Hebrews 9:24; 1 John 2:1
Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God— and He is interceding for us.
In giving the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts to his people
Acts 2:33 See also Ephesians 4:8–13
Exalted, then, to the right hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.
In making every authority subject to him
Ephesians 1:20–22 See also 1 Corinthians 15:24–26; Philippians 2:9–11; Hebrews 2:7–9, Hebrews 10:12–13; 1 Peter 3:22; Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:16
which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church,
Believers should lead lives that are mindful of Jesus Christ's exaltation
Believers are exalted with Jesus Christ
Ephesians 2:6 See also Revelation 3:21
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
Believers should be concerned with heavenly values
Colossians 3:1–4 See also Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 12:2–3
Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.