A Most Uncomfortable Truth

But from now on the Son of Man will be seated in the place of power at God’s right hand.” [Luke 22.69] 

Every believer in Jesus should pay close attention to what He said in the verse above before the high counsel.

Elsewhere Jesus made similar statements:

Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” [Mark 14.62]

Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” [Matthew 26.64] 

Similarly also, 

They all shouted, “So, are you claiming to be the Son of God?” And he replied, “You say that I am.” [Luke 22.70]

Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?” “Guilty!” they all cried. “He deserves to die!” [Mark 14.63-64] 

Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?” “Guilty!” they shouted. “He deserves to die!” [Matthew 26.65-66] 

Jesus' use of the term "Son of Man" when identifying Himself is perhaps the most overlooked revelation of the entire New Testament. In fact, as seen in today's One Year Chronological Bible reading, it got Him killed.

Why was it so important for Jesus to call Himself "Son of Man" instead of "Son of God"? It was for US! It was absolutely necessary that Jesus identify with mankind so that He might carry, on behalf of mankind, the full punishment for mankind's sin.

"Yes! Hallelujah," right?

There is, however, another aspect of this where mankind has always "struggled" (to put it lightly). According to everything Jesus taught, it is just as necessary that His followers identify themselves with Him. To be clear, believers in Jesus should identify as "Son of God" instead of "Son of Man." It's an authority thing...

It was asked of Jesus early in His ministry, "Who but God can forgive sins?"

When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” [Mark 2.1-11]

THINK! If forgiveness is reserved for God only, then why did Jesus refer to Himself, in the capacity of forgiving sins, as the Son of Man? And, as far as believers' identification with Him, it should be understood that Jesus was not vague in His demand:

Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” [John 20.21-23] 

In Christ, every believer, aware of it or not, is seated at God's right hand in the place of power. The very forgiveness that identified Jesus as the all-powerful Son of God is the same forgiveness that identifies His followers as Sons of God.

The passage from John's Gospel above is just one quarter of the total input recalling Jesus' Great Commission. We get a more complete picture of the Great Commission understanding its full meaning from the additional three accounts of it:

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [Matthew 28.18-20]

And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.” [Mark 16.15-18] 

It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ [Luke 24.47] 

We must also consider what Jesus prayed in His remarkably revealing prayer in John 17:

“Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth. [John 17.13-19] 

We shouldn't have to ask how Jesus was sent into the world, but because God's enemy is a deceiver, we must rehearse the truth over and again to overcome the lies otherwise. Here is Jesus' own description of what He was sent to do and therefore what we are sent to do:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” [Luke 4.18-19]

So..., if what is declared here is indeed true, why don't we see it in action?

Excellent question! Now, we are getting somewhere! But, I am afraid "where we are getting" is not what we want to admit. 

If we, in Christ, are seated at the right hand of God in the place of power, why is the power not evident? There can be only one answer and that answer is that we are NOT in Christ seated at God's right hand in the place of power! WHAT?!?

Every miracle Jesus performed and encouraged His followers to perform likewise was directly attached to faith. In fact, the very relationship with God through Jesus Christ "placing" us at God's right hand "in Christ" is accomplished through no other means than by faith. IF we are eternally seated at God's right hand in faith, then the power we demonstrate in Christ is established and therefore carried out in THAT faith - the faith that saves. The reason the power is not demonstrated is because saving faith has never been exercised.

This is not new teaching or revelation. It is instead what the Bible has taught all along. The ONLY recourse for man is repentance and faith, the evidence of which is the powerful miraculous ministry of forgiveness and healing Jesus lived and demonstrated as the Son of Man. Men have balked at this idea all the way back to Jesus' time... through the ages they've cried. "Blasphemy!" as many are crying, "Blasphemy!" here now. But the Truth is the Truth and it is indisputable. It is pure pride and deception that argues otherwise. Faith is not a doctorate in theology, but is a heart given entirely to the occupation and evidence of Jesus Christ seated in the place of power at God's right hand.

Hebrews chapter eleven describes what this life of faith really looks like, including those who died in faith refusing to turn from God.

One might argue, "If this is all true, then hardly anyone is actually saved!" which eloquently seques into a most uncomfortable Truth Jesus unapologetically and conclusively revealed:

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. [Matthew 7.13-14]

Jesus refuted all the comfortable lies that 'heaven will be full.' Yes, Revelation mentions the masses of people, but, in comparison to the number of souls born since the Creation, that number is miniscule. Not my words... Matthew 7.13-14.

Father, I want to be in faith! But I know that faith is unattainable except through the avenue of repentance: repentance for pride and self-infatuation. I also know that my faith, when it is real, shines the Light of Jesus Christ in all Your power to the world in which I live. I don't want to be deceived and I don't want to deceive others - Your Word is clear. Convert the mess I've made of my life into Jesus! So be it.