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Edward Fudge

JESUS SEATED AT GOD'S RIGHT HAND
Someone asks, "What does it mean that Jesus 'sat down at the right hand' of God in heaven? It seems the New Testament mentions that several times."

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The imagery comes from Psalm 110:1, which says: "The LORD said to my Lord: 'Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.'" New Testament writers quote this Psalm more often than any other text in the Jewish Scriptures -- in Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, Colossians and Hebrews. The risen Jesus is God's "right-hand man" -- a position of enormous intimacy (Psalm 16:8, 11), power and prestige (Psalm 80:17; Heb. 1:13-14).

Jesus' ascension and enthronement at God's right hand also show God's unfailing faithfulness to those who put their trust in him. Jesus is the only man who ever trusted God perfectly, and Jesus trusted God all the way to death. God vindicated Jesus' faith and manifested his own faithfulness by raising Jesus from the dead and giving him a position of glory in heaven (Heb. 12:1-2).

The imagery of Jesus at God's right hand also underscores the completeness of our redemption (Heb. 7:29 - 8:2). Jesus does not need to "stand daily," like the Old Testament priests whose offerings could never take away sin. By one sacrifice of himself, Jesus "perfected forever" all his people, then he "sat down," his atoning work completed, "at the right hand of God" (Heb.10:11-14). Our offering has been made. Our forgiveness is accomplished. Our salvation is secure. Our Savior has taken his seat at God's right hand!

For more about God's grace, click here.