Practical Commentary of 1 Peter Volume 2, Commentary · Chapter 1 · Verse 19
Verse 22.
22. Who is gone into Heaven, and is on the right hand of God, Angels, and Authorities, and Powers being made subject to him.
THIS is added on purpose to shew us further what he is, how high and glorious a Saviour we have.
Here four points or steps of the Exaltment of Christ. 1. Resurrection from the Dead. 2. Ascension into Heaven. 3. Sitting at the right Hand of God. 4. In that Posture, his Royal Authority over the Angels. The particulars clear in themselves. Of the sitting at the right Hand of God, you are not ignorant that it is a borrowed Expression drawn from Earth to Heaven, to bring down some Notion of Heaven to us, to signifie to us in our Language, suitably to our Customs, the Supream Dignity of Jesus Christ, God and Man, the Mediator of the New Covenant, his matchless nearness unto his Father, and the Sovereignty given him over Heaven and Earth. And that of the subjection of Angels, is but a more particular specifying of that his Dignity and Power; as enthron'd at the Father's right Hand; they being the most elevated and glorious Creatures; so his Authority over all the World implyed in that subjection of the highest and noblest part of it: His Victory and Triumph over the Angels of Darkness is an evidence of his Invincible Power and Greatness, and matter of Comfort to his Saints, but this here is his Supremacy over the glorious Elect Angels.
That there is amongst them Priority we find, that there is a comely order in their differences cannot be doubted: but to marshal their Degrees and Stations above, is a point, not only of vain fruitless Curiosity, but of presumptuous intrusion, whether these are names of their different particular Dignities, or only different names of their general Excellency and Power, as I think it cannot be certainly well determin'd, so it imports us not to determine; only this we know, and are particularly taught from this place, that whatsoever is their common Dignity both in names and differences, they are all subject to our glorious Head, Christ.
What Confirmation they have in their Estate by him (though piously asserted by Divines) is not so infallibly clear from the alledged Scriptures, which may bear another sense: But this is certain, that he is their King, and they acknowledge him so, and do incessantly admire and adore him; they rejoyce in his glory, and in the glory and happiness of Mankind through him, they yield him most cheerful obedience, and serve him readily in the good of his Church, and each particular Believer, as he deputes and imploys them.
Which is the thing here intended, having in it these two. (1) His Dignity above them. 2. His Authority over them. (1.) Dignity, that even that Nature, which he stoopt below them to take on, he hath carried up and raised it above them, the very Earth, the flesh of Man exalted in his Person above all those heavenly Spirits, who are of so excellent and pure a Being in their Nature, and from the beginning of the World cloathed with so transcendent Glory; that a parcel of Clay is made so bright, and set so high to outshine these bright flaming Spirits, these Stars of the Morning, that flesh being united to the Fountain of Light, the blessed Deity in the Person of the Son.
In coming to fetch and put on this Garment he made himself lower than the Angels; but carrying it with him at his return to his eternal Throne, and sitting down with it there, it is high above them, as the Apostle teaches excellently and amply, Heb. 1. 2. To which of them, said he, sit on my right Hand.
This they look upon with perpetual Wonder, but not with envy nor repining, no, amongst all their eyes, no such eye to be found; yea, they rejoyce in the infinite Wisdom of God in this Design, and his infinite Love to poor lost Mankind; its wonderful indeed to to see him filling the room of their fallen Brethren, with new guests from Earth; yea, such as are born Heirs of Hell; not only thus sinful Man raised to a participance of Glory with them who are spotless, sinless Spirits, but their flesh in their Redeemer dignified with a Glory so far beyond them. This is that Mystery they are intent in looking and prying into, and cannot, nor never shall see the bottom of it, for it hath none.
2. Jesus Christ is not only exalted above the Angels in absolute Dignity, but in relative Authority over them, he is made Captain over those Heavenly Bands, they are all under his Command, for all Services wherein it pleases him to employ them; and the great Employment he hath, is the attending on his Church, and particular Elect Ones; are they not all ministring Spirits sent forth, &c. They are the Servants of Christ, and in him, and at his appointment the Servants of every Believer, and are many ways serviceable and useful for their good, which truely we do not duly consider. There is no danger of overvaluing them, and inclining to Worship them upon this Consideration, yea, if we take it right, it will rather take off from that. The Angel judg'd his Argument strong enough to St. Iohn against that, that he was but his fellow Servant: but this is more, that they are Servants to us, although not therefore inferiour, it being a honorary service, yet certainly inferiour to our Head, and so to his mystical body, taken in that Nation as a part of him.
Obs. 1. The hight of this our Saviour's Glory will appear the more, if we reflect on the descent by which he ascended to it; Oh! how low did we bring down so high a Majesty into the pit wherein we had fallen by climbing to be higher than he had set us; it was high by reason we fell so low, and yet he against whom it was committed came down to help us up again, and to take hold of us, took us on; so the Word is, Heb. 2. he took not hold of the Angels; let them go, hath left them to die for ever: But he took hold of the Seed of Abraham, and took on him indeed their flesh dwelling amongst us, and in a mean part; emptied himself and became of no repute, and further after he descended into the Earth, and into our flesh, in it he became obedient to death upon the Cross, and descended into the Grave. And by these steps was walking towards that Glory wherein now he is, Phil. 1. he abased himself wherefore says the Apostle, God hath highly exalted him, so he himself, Luk. 24. Ought not Christ first to suffer these things, and so enter into his Glory. Now this indeed it is pertinent to consider, and the Apostle is here upon point of suffering, that's his theam, and therefore he is so particular in the ascending of Christ to his Glory; who of those that would come thither will refuse to follow him in the way where he led foreign the leader of our Faith, Heb. 12. and who of those that follow him, will not love and delight to follow him through any way, the lowest and darkest; its excellent and safe, and then it ends you see where.
2. Think not strange of the Lord's method with his Church, bringing her to so low and desperate a Posture many times; can she be in a more seeming desperate condition than was her head, not only in ignominous sufferings, but dead and laid in the Grave, and the Stone roll'd to it and sealed, and made all sure, and yet arose and ascended, and now sits in Glory, and shall sit till all his Enemies become his Footstool; do not fear for him, that they shall overtop, yea, or be able to reach him, who is exalted higher than the Heavens; be not affraid neither for his Church, which is his Body, and if his Head be safe and live, cannot but partake of safety and life with him; though she were to sight dead and laid in the Grave,Isa. 26. 19. yet shall she rise thence and be more glorious than before, and still the lower brought in distress, shall rise the higher in the day of deliverance.
Thus in his dealing with a Soul, observe the Lord's method; think it not strange, that he brings a Soul low, very low, which he means to comfort and exalt very high in Grace and Glory; leads it by Hell-gates to Heaven, that it be at that point, my God, my God why hast thou forsaken me; was not the Head put to use that Word, and so to speak it, as the Head speaks for the Body, seasoning it for his Members, and sweetning that bitter cup by his own drinking of it. Oh! what a hard condition may a soul be brought unto, and put to think, can he love me, and intend mercy for me? that leaves me to this: And yet in all, the Lord preparing it thus for comfort and blessedness.
3. Turn your thoughts more frequently to this Excellent Subject, the glorious high Estate of our great high Priest. The Angels admire this Mystery, and we flight it, they rejoyce in it, and we whom it certainly more nearly concerns, are not moved with it, do not draw that comfort and that instruction from it which it would plentifully afford, if it were drawn. It comforts us against all troubles and fears, is he not on high who hath undertaken for us? doth any thing befall us but it is past first in Heaven, and shall any thing pass there to our prejudice or damage, he …its there and is upon the Counsel of all, who hath loved us, and given himself for us: yea, who, as he descended thence for us, did likewise ascend thither again for us, hath made our Inheritance, he purchas'd, there sure to us, taking Possession for us, and in our name, since he is there, not only as the Son of God, but as our Surety, and as our Head, and so the Believer may think himself even already possest of this Right, in as much as his Christ is there. The Saints are glorified already in their head, where he reigns. Where he reigns, there I believe my self to reign, Vbi caput meum regnat ibi me regnare credo.says Aug. And consider in all thy straights and troubles outward and inward, they are not hid from him, he knows them and feels them, a compassionate high Priest, hath a gracious sense of thy frailties, and griefs, and fears, and tentation; and will not suffer thee to be surcharg'd, is still presenting thy Estate to the Father, and using that interest and power he hath in his affection for thy good. And what wouldst thou more? art thou one whose heart desires to rest upon him and cleave to him? thou art knit so to him, that his resurrection and glory secures thee thine; his life and thine are not two, but one life, as that of the Head and Members, and if he could not be overcome of death, thou canst not neither. Oh! that sweet word, Because I live, you shall live also.
Let thy thoughts and carriage be moulded in this contemplation rightly, ever to look on thy exalted head, consider his glory: see not only thy Nature raised in him above the Angels: but thy person interested by Faith in that his Glory; and then think thy self too good to serve any base lust, look down on Sin and the World with a holy disdain, being united to him who is so exalted and so glorious. And let not thy mind creep here, engage not thy Heart to any thing that Time and this Earth can afford; Oh! why are we so little there where there is such a spring of delightful and high thoughts for us. If ye be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above where he sits: what mean you, are ye such as will let go you interest in this once crucified and now glorified Jesus? if not, why are ye not more like it? why does it not possess your hearts more? ought it not to be thus? should not our hearts be where our Treasure, where our blessed Head is? Oh! how unreasonable, how unfriendly is it, how much may we be ashamed to have room for earnest thoughts, or desires, or delights, about any thing beside him?
Were this, by these that have right in it, much wrought upon the heart, would there be found in them any ingagement to the poor things that are passing away? would death be a terrible word? yea, would it not be one of the sweetest, most rejoycing thoughts to solace and ease the heart, under all pressures to look forward to that day of Liberty? This in…ectious Disease may keep possession all the Winter and grow hot with the year again: do not flatter your selves an… think its past, you have yet remembring strokes to keep it in your eye. But however, shall we abide still her… or is there any thing duly weighed, why we should desire it? well if ye would be untied beforehand, and so feel it less, this is the only way, look up to him, who draws up all hearts that do indeed behold him; then, I say, thy heart shall be removed beforehand, and the rest is easie and sweet when that's done all is gained. And consider how he desires the compleating of our union? Shall it be his begging and earnest desire, and shall it not be ours too, that where he is there we may be also, with patient submission, yet striving by desires and suits, looking out for our release from this Body of Sin and death.
The End of the Third Chapter.