3.20.24 Prayer Room – The Authority of Jesus

As we learned this past Sunday, Pilate is a picture of earthly power – he is calculating, competent, and self-preserving, a man of pragmatic wisdom from this world. He saw Jesus as a pawn in a political chess game. Jesus stood before Pilate and would not speak. Instead of pleading his case, he remained silent. In light of all his shrewdness, Pilot’s actions point our eyes to the kingship and authority of Jesus Christ – that all authority comes from above (John 19:11). 

We see this in Ephesians 1, That through Christ, God had a plan for the fullness of time to unite all things to himself – that through Jesus’s journey to the cross, through his triumphal entry, his time in the upper room, his prayer of agony in the Garden, his trial before Pilate, and his coming death, we would be united to God. That what man has meant for evil, God has used for good, because he possesses all authority. It is through Jesus’s blood and his torn flesh that we have redemption and the forgiveness of our sins.

We will spend today in Ephesians 1:3-23 –

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

HEAR: 

When Jesus stands before Pilate, he pleads no case and begs of no defense. He remains silent and steadfast, and is clothed with the full authority of the Father. Ephesians 1 allows us to see the authority of Jesus and his in-breaking kingdom that is not of this world. 

Use this time to listen to the Holy Spirit and pray. Specifically think about: 

• Where do you find yourself living for the kingdoms in this world? Fix your eyes on the kingdom to come, just as Jesus taught us how to pray ( John 18:36, Matthew 6:10).

• Let the knowledge that all authority comes from God bring humility to our lives (vv.20-22).

• Do you believe that God works all things according to his perfect will? Trust that he turns all things for good (v.11). 

RESPOND: 

In this text, we see that Jesus is seated at the right hand throne of God in the heavenly places, far above every ruler and power, every authority and dominion, every name that is and every name that is to come. As he sits in the Heavenly places, he lives to intercede for us, and we desire to agree with him in prayer (Hebrews 7:25). 

Use this time to pray quietly to yourself or to pray for the whole room: 

• Intercede for those who have yet to receive the gospel of salvation. Pray that they would believe in God and be sealed with the promised Holy Spirit (v. 13).

• Pray for a Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God, that the eyes of our hearts may be opened to see him rightly (vv.17-18).

• Intercede on behalf of Boston – pray for a greater hunger to see God enthroned upon the praises of our region (vv.20-22).