The Wednesday Word ~ 26 February, 2025 A.D.

Jesus at the Right Hand- Part I

by D G Miles McKee 

“But this man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;” (Hebrews 10:12 and see also Hebrews 1:3).

 

In the past I have spoken on the meaning of Jesus being at the right hand of God, but some newer believers, perhaps, have not grasped the meaning of this wonderful truth.

 

 To say that Jesus is at the Right Hand of God is to use anthropomorphic language and anthropomorphic language when used in reference to God represents the Almighty as having human characteristics.  We read, for example, of God having “nostrils” (Exodus 15:8), a “face” (Psalms 27:8), a “hand” (Deuteronomy 9:26), and a “mighty arm” (Psalms 89:13). This does not mean, however, that God has any of these things any more than He has wings (Ruth 2:12). We know that God, in essence, is Spirit (John 4:24), but to make Himself more clearly understood He describes Himself in human or anthropomorphic terms. Here, briefly, are 6 anthropomorphic terms.

1. God’s face. This speaks to us about God’s presence.  When we talk about meeting people “Face to Face” it means being in the same place as they are and in their presence. When we seek God’s face it means we are seeking to meet Him so that we may be in His presence.

2. God’s mighty arm. This is His saving power exercised on behalf of people. In Psalm 89:13 we read,

 

“Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is Thy hand, and high is Thy right hand.”
 

And in Luke 1:51 we read,

 

“He hath shown strength with His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.”

As you can see, this is not a literal arm. The right arm is usually the strongest.  When, therefore, God intervenes and rescues, it is said to be with His “right arm” or “right hand.”

3. God’s hand. This expression refers both to God’s “call” and to His blessing on a person’s life, especially when He gives instruction for ministry, (See Ezekiel 1:3; Ezekiel 3:14; 2 Kings 3:15).

When we say that the Lord’s hand is on someone, we mean that God is directing and blessing that person. We do not mean that a literal hand is resting on the person’s head. It is anthropomorphic language.

 

4. God’s finger. This speaks of His commanding authority. In Luke 11:20 Jesus says,

 

“But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.”

The demons were not cast out by a literal finger, but by the authority of God in the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

5. God’s nostrils. This speaks to us of His indignation!

 

Psalm 18:15; Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at Thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of Thy nostrils, (see also II Samuel 22:8-10)
 

The nostrils flare when a person is indignant. Does God get indignant? Yes! He snorts with anger!  Is this literal? No! This is anthropomorphic language. God is Spirit and has no literal nostrils.  The only physical body God has is that of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

6) God’s Shoulders.

 

Deuteronomy 33:11, “The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by Him; and the LORD shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between His shoulders.”

 

The term “shoulder” signifies strength. Isaiah prophesies of the birth of the Messiah, saying, “The government shall be upon His shoulder” (Isaiah 9: 6). In other words, Christ’s government will be one of power and strength. In Luke 15, in the parable of the lost sheep, the Good Shepherd finds the stray and lays it on His shoulders. The shoulders are, therefore, a place of safety and rest for the rescued sheep. The sheep are only as safe as the Shepherd is strong.  If the shepherd is weak, the sheep could yet fall foul of a vicious attack by a wild beast. We have reason, therefore, for extraordinary comfort and assurance in the knowledge that our Shepherd, Jesus, is almighty and that no foe can overpower Him as He carries us!

 

When we say that the Lord carries us on His shoulders, we of course don’t mean that He is literally carrying on literal shoulders. What we mean is that because we are feeble we look to Jesus to carry us by His strength and might.

With this now in mind, let’s turn our attention to the term, ‘the Right Hand of God’.  What does it mean? The first thing we must be clear about is that the Father, in Himself, has no bodily shape!  If you think He does, then perhaps you have been reading too many books by the Mormons.  We have but one God, the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit. However, there is only one physical being seated upon the throne, the Lord Jesus Christ, and in Him we will see and encounter the fullness of the Godhead bodily.  In Christ alone, we encounter Father, Word and Holy Spirit. As the powerful puritan, John Owen, said,

 

“He (Christ Jesus) is the complete image and representation of the Divine Being and excellencies.”

-John Owen: A Declaration of The Glorious Mystery of the Person of Christ. The Works of John Owen: Volume 1: Page 69.

And that´s the Gospel Truth…to be continued