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Daily Devotions

Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 209

"(Now this, 'He ascended'- what does it mean but that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above the heavens, that He might fulfill all things.)"

Text: Ephesians 4:9-10

HOW PAUL CHOSE TO MINISTER

Paul determined that he would always speak simply. His letter to the Church in Corinth well illustrates how he saw his ministry.

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come
with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you
the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything
among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified…
And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive
words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit
and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men
but in the power of God.
1 CORINTHIANS 2:1-2, 4-5

Because of this chosen approach, Paul did not feel that he needed to explain himself too much in his writings. He assumed that his readers would be able to comprehend him quite easily. He hoped that they would seek the Lord for understanding should they not be able to comprehend his words.

SOME THOUGHTS NEED FURTHER EXPLANATION

In this particular instance, Paul felt that he needed to give a further word of explanation as to how he applied the text from Psalm 68 to the Lord Jesus Christ. His words of explanation are written within parenthesis.

The Ascent of Christ

This concept was something that the original disciples of Christ struggled with very badly. It took a number of special appearances and teaching sessions before they came to understand that their Teacher had indeed risen from the dead.

What are some implications of this text?

1. The prophetic element

The resurrection of Christ was foretold in Psalm 68:18

2. The Victorious element

This celebrates the victory that Christ had over death and the grave (Cf. 1 Corinthians 15:55)

3. The Physical element

The Lord Jesus Christ has ascended to the heavens in His glorified Body. He will return to the earth in that same Body one day.