In Jesus we have a King above any kings, with a Name above all names.

Ephesians 1

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: ² Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.⁴ For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵ he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace ⁸ that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, ⁹ he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, ¹⁰ to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

¹¹ In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, ¹² in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. ¹³ And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴ who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

¹⁵ For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, ¹⁶ I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. ¹⁷ I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. ¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, ¹⁹ and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength ²⁰ he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, ²¹ far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. ²² And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

In this encouraging opening to the letter to the Ephesians, Paul writes of our adoption into the family of God. It is as though the vaults and treasury of Heaven have been opened.

The passage is full of words that describe the magnitude of God’s grace, and the glory of Jesus the King. He is glorious, His grace is lavished on us. In Him we have a glorious inheritance and immeasurable power.

The mighty strength that raised Christ and set Him above all powers is available to us as citizens of His Kingdom.

Just as the head is above the body, so we look to our risen Lord and give glory and thanks to Him.

Paul prays that the church may be given the Spirit of wisdom in order to know Jesus better. What an amazing King who didn’t stay distant from His people, but came and dwelled among us and gave His life for us.

He endured hardship that we may be bestowed with so much richness. He doesn’t lock the coffers of grace, but pours it out on us. He has no concern for any competition for his throne, but graciously allows us to be co-heirs with Him, to be sons and daughters of the Heavenly Father.

And what now is our purpose, but to fulfil the will of God and be part of all the things brought into unity with Christ above.

Head: Think of what Jesus has done that is so unlike any other king for his people. How does this help complete the picture of a King above all kings.

Heart: How do the words, “chosen to be holy and blameless” make you feel? Does it feel unreal? Impossible? With Christ all things are possible!

Hands: “With great power comes great responsibility” How does being empowered by the almighty King make you feel towards others? Do we have a responsibility to be examples of our King to those not yet in the Kingdom?

Prayer: Lord, I can never thank you enough for what you have done. Thank you for adopting me, for being so boundless with your grace. Thank you!

A song to listen to: See the Man

Nicole Davenport- Creek Road Presbyterian Church- Carina