“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” This is a truth which is declared by Paul to the Philippians: God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name (Philippians 2:9). It is a truth which in nowise takes away from the true notion of Christ’s divinity, as some have ignorantly supposed. It is simply a declaration that in the counsels of the eternal Trinity, Jesus, as Son of Man, is appointed heir of all things, He is the Mediator between God and man – the salvation of all who are saved is laid upon Him – and He is the great fountain of mercy, grace, life, and peace. It was for this joy set before Him [that He] endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2).
Let us embrace this truth reverently and cling to it firmly. Christ is He who has the keys of death and hell. Christ is the anointed High Priest who alone can absolve sinners. Christ is the fountain of living waters in whom alone we can be cleansed. Christ is the Prince and Savior who alone can give repentance and remission of sins. In Him all fullness dwells. He is the Way, the Door, the Light, the life, the Shepherd, and the altar of refuge. He that has the Son has life, and he that has not the Son has not life. May we all strive to understand this. No doubt men may easily think too little of God the Father and God the Spirit, but no man ever thought too much of Christ.
Adapted from Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Matthew by J.C. Ryle
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