16. Chapter Three
Chapter Three S howing What Evidence Christ's Sitting at God's Right Hand, Having
Been Our Surety, Provides to Our Faith for Justification.
2. Now, let's discuss Christ's sitting at God's right hand, which is the second topic to be addressed. As soon as Christ ascended into heaven, just as all the angels bowed down and worshipped him, so too did his Father welcome him with the greatest grace ever shown. The words spoken at that time are recorded in Psalm 110, "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool." For further understanding, note how, upon each part of Christ's office performance, either God is depicted speaking to Christ, or Christ to his Father. For instance, when he first chose Christ to be our Mediator, he took an oath, "You are a Priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." Again, when Christ came to take on our nature, his words are recorded, "Here I am, I have come to do your will, you have prepared a body for me," as found in Hebrews 10:5, quoting Psalm 40. Similarly, when
he was on the cross, his words to God are recorded in Psalm 22:1, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Likewise, when he rose again,
God's words to him are recorded, "You are my Son, today I have begotten you," Psalm 2:7 (which is interpreted as referring to the resurrection in Acts
13:33). This is as if he had said, You never appeared as my Son until now; for while I chose a Son to be glorified with power and majesty, until now you have appeared only as "a son of man" (Enosh, pitiful man); until now you have been made sin, and a curse; not like my Son, but appearing "in the likeness of sinful flesh," and of "a servant," all covered with blood.
Therefore, this is the first day I consider "I have begotten you;" even now, when you first begin to appear out of that sinful appearance and likeness of sinful flesh: now I acknowledge you as my Son indeed. And in him, he acknowledged us all thus at his resurrection. And then finally, when he ascended into heaven, the first word God speaks to him is, Son, "sit at my right hand;" you have completed all my work, and now I will do yours…;
(he gives him a Quietus est) rest here, "Sit here, until I make all your enemies your footstool."
And now, are you convinced yet, that God is satisfied for your sins? What overwhelming evidence must Christ's sitting at God's right hand provide to a doubting heart? It suggests, first, that Christ, for his part, has perfectly completed his work, and that there is no more left for him to do by way of satisfaction: this is implied by the word sitting. Secondly, it suggests that God is fully satisfied on his part: this is implied by his sitting at God's right hand.
(1.) For the first; the phrase of sitting signifies rest, when work is accomplished and finished. Christ was not to return until he had completed his work, as stated in Hebrews 10:11. The apostle, comparing the power and
excellence of Christ's sacrifice with those of the priests of the old law, says that "those priests stood daily offering sacrifices, which can never take away sins." Their standing implied that they could never make satisfaction, so as to say, "we have finished it." But Christ (says he in Hebrews 10:12),
"after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down." Note how he contrasts their standing with his sitting down. He sat as one who had completed his work. Thus, in Hebrews 4:10, "he who has entered into his rest"—referring to Christ, as I have shown elsewhere—"has ceased from his work, as God from his."
(2.) Secondly, his being at God's right hand strongly suggests that God is satisfied. For if God had not been infinitely pleased with him, he would never have allowed him to come so close to him, much less have elevated him so high as his right hand. Therefore, in that passage just cited (Hebrews
10:10-12, compared with the previous verses), this is presented as evidence that Christ had "forever taken away sins" (which those priests of the law could not do, who therefore often "offered the same sacrifice," as in Hebrews 10:11). That "this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God," thereby demonstrating (and that most clearly) that he had at that time offered such a satisfactory sacrifice as had pleased God forever. And thereupon took his place at God's right hand as evidence of it, thus occupying the highest place in court. This positioning him at God's right hand is a sign of special and highest favor. So kings, whom they were most pleased with, they placed at their right hands, as Solomon did his mother, in 1 Kings 2:19. And so Christ, the church his queen, Psalm 45:9, and it was a favor which God never afterward granted to any, Hebrews 1:13. "To which of all the angels did he say, Sit at my right hand?" Therefore in Philippians 2:9, it is not only said that he "exalted
him," but superexalted him, "he highly exalted him," so as never any was exalted; for he was "made thereby higher than the heavens." Thus much for the first topic.