This morning when I woke up and began thinking about reading or assigned reading of Ephesians, I really wanted to linger in yesterday’s scripture. I am away from home, but wanted to write yesterday’s scripture on notecards (which are sitting on my nightstand at home) and was thinking about doing that when I get home in a few hours and also lingering on those words and promise a bit more. I didn’t want to move on to today’s passage.
But I told Candace of His Mercy is New that I would make my way through her schedule day by day alongside her. So I tapped on my ESV Bible app and started reading. The reading was just what I needed. It hammered home the point from yesterday, allowing me to linger just a bit longer, but then showing me another nugget. Of the two verses, here’s the one that grabbed me: (I hope it grabs you, too.)
Scripture: Ephesians 1:22
And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church.
Observation:
God put all things under the Christ and made him the head of the church.
Application:
God is in charge. He’s powerful. Christ will show us how to worship and follow and live. It is up to us to take action on that teaching, though.
This verse, and the one following it, backs up all that we prayed and talked about yesterday in Ephesians 1:15-21. God placed Christ above all others. He is large and in charge.
But let’s think about how He is large and in charge for a minute:
His actions while walking this earth were all rooted in love and kindness and mercy and service. He didn’t hammer his points home with a fist. Instead he hammered them home by feeding people, looking into their hearts and forgiving them and by showing mercy against the accused, even when they were guilty. He rules with love and kindness. That’s a pretty awesome example.
Prayer:
Father God, thank you for putting all things under Christ’s feet and making him head over all things in the church. Guide all believers in truly following Christ’s example here on earth. Help us to be kind to all, merciful to all and rule as He did– in serving others in love. I include myself in that prayer, Lord, as my temper and judgement can sometimes go places I would rather they not.
I see so much hate coming from believers, so much judgement. And that is not at all the example set for us to follow. Please, Lord, help all that see this verse today and any day, whether it be through this reading or any, see how to rule by following His example, and make changes in each of our outlooks and actions so we do pause and act in love to those around us, even those who we deem as doing wrong.
I love you, Father. Thank you for setting Christ as the head of the church. He is an excellent example for all of us to follow.
In His name,
Amen
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