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Daily Devotions

Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 21

"In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace."

Text: Ephesians 1:7

UNASHAMED ADORATION OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

Have you counted the number of times the apostle Paul made mention of the Lord Jesus up to this point of time? Let’s make a quick list of these references:-

1. Specific references

There are seven specific references of the name of the Lord Jesus in the first seven verses of Ephesians

1. These references may be further classified in the following way.

a) Full title- “The Lord Jesus Christ” Ephesians 1:2, 3
b) Partial title- “Christ Jesus” or “Jesus Christ” Ephesians 1:1, 5
c) Abbreviated title- “Christ” Ephesians 1:3
d) Special title- “The Beloved” Ephesians 1:6

2. Reference using appropriate pronouns

There are numerous references to the Lord Jesus by way of using an appropriate pronoun.

a) “In Him” Ephesians 1:4, 7
b) “Before Him” Ephesians 1:4

All told, we have TEN references to the Lord Jesus Christ. If the grace of God is abundant and glorious, and to be extolled, how much more the Person through whom the gift of grace is extended. There is no mistaking the attempt of the apostle Paul to express his love and adoration of the Lord Jesus.

APPRECIATING THE TITLES EMPLOYED

Paul used a number of titles that he ascribed as rightfully belonging to the Saviour.

1. The Lord (“kurios”)

This word is used by the Roman emperor to describe himself as the master of the mighty Roman empire. Paul applied this same word to Jesus as his Master and also as Omnipotent Lord of the world.

2. Christ (“Christos”)

As far as Paul was concerned, Jesus was “the Christ”. This term was used to describe the Jewish “Messiah”. It took him a long and tumultuous time before he came to this full understanding that Jesus was indeed the long-awaited Messiah of Jewish prophecy! Having discovered this truth, Paul employed this term with loving adoration again and again, unashamedly. These were more than just titles. They were deep theological statements as well.