And God placed all things under his feet …
Summary: Paul’s perspective on Jesus is different than the disciples who lived with Jesus. Paul knows Jesus as the risen Lord, and this perspective comes through in his teachings about Jesus.
There are times when I wonder if these blog posts have any value at all. Do they add anything to what God has already written?
The answer to that is, “No!” God’s Word is complete. These posts are not intended to add to them in any way. However, human nature being what it is, I think we tend to gloss over the details when we read a text like this. If we are adding anything here, it is similar to a tour guide.
When I was a tour guide in Alaska many years ago, my tours did not add anything to the natural beauty of the state. Instead, the function of a tour guide is to point out the natural beauties and help those who are passing by appreciate what they are looking at. Sometimes it is just enough to stop the bus and say, “Look!”
Take today’s passage, for example, “And God placed all things under his feet …” Paul is explaining what happened after Jesus was raised from the dead.
From the perspective of the four Gospel accounts, Jesus was killed and then came back to life. His disciples saw Jesus, talked with him, examined the crucifixion wounds, and ate with him. They saw him more than once, and then they saw him leave and go up to heaven. (Mark 16: 19, Luke 24: 51)
Paul gives us a different perspective.
Paul did not meet Jesus until after he had ascended into heaven. The disciples knew Jesus personally and then saw him go away. Paul didn’t know Jesus before his crucifixion. Instead, he met the risen Lord face to face (Acts 9:1-9). Paul tells us about Jesus after he ascended to heaven!
God has given Jesus life and power. “Incomparably great power,” according to verse nineteen. Now Paul tells us that God “placed all things under [Jesus] feet.” There are three things about this statement that I want to point out to you.
One: This isn’t something God is going to do in the future. It is already done. God has “placed” (past tense) all things under Jesus’ feet already.
Two: God didn’t just place some things under his feet. He placed “all things” under his feet. The Gospels testify to this time and time again whenever a demon is mentioned. They know who Jesus is, and they understand that he has all power and authority.
Three: The phrase “under his feet” is a metaphor for ultimate power and authority. When Joshua battled the five kings who had come to attack Gibeon for making an alliance with Israel, he defeated their armies and found the kings hiding in a cave. As a way of demonstrating God’s power, Joshua had the commanders of his army come forward and place their feet on the necks of these “great” kings (Joshua 10:24).
Think about that for a moment. Imagine anyone who opposes God, from the greatest to the least, before Jesus and “under his feet.” Now you understand the foolishness of opposing God and the wisdom of accepting his offer of salvation through faith in Jesus.
Application: Jesus is more than a carpenter from Galilee. He is the ultimate power in the universe.
Food for Thought: As a Christian living in a broken world, what does it mean for us to have the “upper hand”?
As a Christian living in a broken world, what does it mean for us to have the “upper hand”?
To be better equipped to fight… Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
To know that we are on Jesus’s side ( the winning side ) nomater what happens how bad the world looks at the end of it all Jesus wins. No matter what tricks, lies, cheating, deceptions, twists, or anything the other side tries…… Jesus wins. And we get to celebrate for eternity.
Ephesians 6: 10-18 = equipment for fighting.
T&A,
Thank you! Well said!! I appreciate your encouraging words this morning! 🙂
You’re very welcome! I must admit I said more than I thought I did 😉
What does it mean for us to have the “upper hand”?
Deuteronomy 28:13 The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.
What are His Commands?
Matthew 22:36-40 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
What happens when we follow His Commands?
John 14:21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
Our upper hand is knowing that our love is perfected through Christ. Through perfect love we know there is no fear. Nothing of earthy significance can shake us as long as we trust that God is directing us, moving us toward a life that pleases Him. Our upper hand is knowing that Christ died for us, and is our advocate. That Christ loves us.
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
Chris,
I appreciate your take on this passage. Thank you!
“Our upper hand is knowing that Christ died for us, and is our advocate. That Christ loves us.” — So true!!
Good devotion again brother. Thank you. And the comments have covered this well. My mind went to where A and T’s went – to the upper hand in a spiritual battle. To go along with their mention of Ephesians 6: 10 – 18, Daniel chapter 10 tells of how their was a battle for 21 days in the spiritual realm. That battle was over as soon as God wanted it over and sent the angel Michael to finish that skirmish. Greater is He Who is in us then He who is in the world. 1 John 4: 4.
Amen, Rich. Amen!
It is a spiritual battle, and sometimes part of the battle is realizing that we are at war. It is easy to become complacent because being in the battle feels ‘normal.’ God is faithful!
03-20-2023, As a Christian living in a broken world, what does it mean for us to have the “upper hand”?
Interestingly, I had a brief dream about this topic last night. Many would consider me an old man, I hit 79 in May. I have been studying the truths of God, I came to know the Lord 46 years ago and still carry my original duct taped, note filled King James Bible wherever I go.
The short version is we have the upper hand because we have the God given stability of “His All Powerful Holy Spirit” in our hearts and God’s written eternal, truth’s regarding everything we will ever need to know as we walk through this “Valley of the shadow of death.” Psalm 23:4
Today history is being rewritten, down is up, wrong is right, the normal are being persecuted as ALL perversions are being declared normal. The streets are filled with people lying and dying of the drugs being taken by those who can’t cope with reality. To be tolerant of others has taken priority over holding others accountable and the hand of God is being withdrawn from mankind as this world seeks its will over God’s.
Believers have the upper hand because we know and seek life in the truth’s of God over compliance to the ever-changing standards being established by mankind.
I live in comfort as I pull back from the ( news? ) of this world and and look to, live life in increasing obedience to God’s Word which has eternal power.
Ron,
You are absolutely right. The world’s values are not God’s values. The world’s “values” are insatiable. What started out as “please accept me for who/what I am” has turned into “if you don’t agree with me you are a bigot/hater.” Christians will always be a threat to group think because we see the world through God’s eyes.
As followers of Christ, we are in the Greatest company Brother!
Ron