A Finished Redemption

"Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right 


hand of God; angels and authorities and powers 


being made subject unto Him" -I Peter 3:22 [KJV]

 

The resurrection, enthronement and universal authority given to Jesus Christ provide us with undeniable evidence that He accomplished, to the Father’s full satisfaction, the work He was sent to do. What was that work? It was that work laid upon Him from all eternity, that work which He delightfully accepted to accomplish - to save, redeem and satisfy divine justice for all of those people given to Him by the Father in covenant grace before the world began.

The Savior’s abiding presence in the Father’s house shows that real, substantial and everlasting peace has been made between the Lord and His fallen people by the blood of the cross of Christ. The Holy Spirit said "this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God" (Hebrews 10:12). Among the seven pieces of furniture in the Old Testament tabernacle, something was noticeably missing - a chair. There was no place for any of the priests to sit because the animal sacrifices they offered could never put away sin; consequently, their work was never completed. But the God-Man, by finishing the work of reconciliation, putting away sin and bringing in everlasting righteousness by His death, entered into glory and took His rightful place upon His throne. He would never have sat down had His work not been completed. "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit Thou at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool" (Psalm 110:1).

The Father was well pleased with His Son’s work of redemption and accepted His sacrifice as full payment for the iniquities of His people. Upon the basis of purging our sins by His substitutionary death, Christ ascended and "sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Hebrews 1:3). Our Savior spoke to Father and said, "I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do" (John 17:4). He made this glorious declaration from the cross - "It is finished" (John 19:30). Child of God, your redemption is accomplished, the Savior’s perfect righteousness has been imputed to you and the forgiveness of your sins is a full and irrevocable pardon.

-Gospel report by preacher Jim Byrd