As we watch the world in which we live apparently spinning out of control, we face a huge question. Is Jesus really who the Bible says he is? Is he truly the resurrected Lord who has authority over everything, or is he merely a religious symbol or a peaceful refuge to whom we can escape when our emotional tanks are running on empty? The Gospel of John supplies us with an answer in the very first chapter.
Before the world began, the Word was there. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was there with God in the beginning. 3 Everything was made through him, and nothing was made without him. 4 In him there was life, and that life was a light for the people of the world. 5 The light shines in the darkness,♦ and the darkness has not defeated it. John 1:1-5 (ETRV)
Jesus, the Word of God, the Logos, the Son of God, the Creator of the all things. By creation rights, he has complete authority over what he made. It all belongs to him.
The author of Hebrews makes the amazing claim that everything and everyone that exists is being constantly upheld or sustained by the Creator. He did not “wind of the clock” and walk away. The clock cannot run without his continuing input of life and energy.
And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power... Hebrews 1:3 (NASB)
This means that, in agreement with the Second Law of Thermodynamics or entropy, the heavens and earth require a continual input of energy from an outside source to keep it going. This is provided by the Source of Life itself, Jesus the Creator God.
This is the second reason he is in control of all things. He not only has the right of ownership as the Creator; he also controls through being the continual Sustainer of everything. Without his second-by-second input, everything will fall apart.
Lastly, after his resurrection from the dead, Jesus was declared to be the Lord of Lords.
and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 1:4 (NLT)
Jesus’ lordship is qualitatively different from his role as Creator and Sustainer. He was the first two things before becoming a human being. His lordship as the risen Son of God, the promised Messianic King, is directly related to his humanity. As the risen human/divine King of Israel in the line of David, he has been made the Lord of Lords.
Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:6-11 (NLT)
When Jesus walked this earth during his public ministry, he was never a victim of the plots and attempts on his life by his enemies. Not until it was the absolutely perfect time for him to be offered as the Lamb of God for our sins did he allow himself to be taken and crucified. But this was also part of the plan.
But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. 24 But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip. Acts 2:23-24 (NLT)
Therefore, his control was and is absolute because he is the Creator -Sustainer – Redeemer – Lord. Nothing can happen without his permission, and all things ultimately work for his glory and according to the counsel of his will. (Romans 8:28, Ephesians 1:11)
No matter what is happening in the world in which we live, we should remind ourselves that Jesus “has this.” It is his world. He created it. He sustains it. He oversees everything. His kingdom shall prevail. He shall be glorified. There is no doubt about it. Therefore, we can be at rest. He is.
“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 (NASB95)
