Paul the
apostle told the Ephesian church members that “every one of us
is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ”,
and in chapter four and verse eight of his letter, Paul shared how
Jesus “ascended up on high”,
“led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men” where
we read:
Wherefore
he said, When he ascended up on high,
he led
captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
The
verse begins, “Wherefore he said, When he ascended up on
high,...” Paul began with the
word, “Wherefore”
which means “on account of, consequently, for which cause and
therefore” and is a conclusion word that refers us to what was
previously written, “he said”
which refers to “Jesus affirmed, maintained, taught, exhorted,
advised, commanded, directed, intended and meant”, “When
he ascended” that is “to go,
rise, mount or spring” “up on high”
which means “toward or to height of place, heaven or station”.
Paul referred to Psalms 68:18 as he shared concerning Jesus'
ascension and the “gift of grace”
that was afforded to men.
The
verse goes on to say, “...he led captivity captive, and
gave gifts unto men.” Paul continued, “he led captivity”
which means “captured, arrested, imprisoned and jailed” “captive”
or “captured, arrested, imprisoned and jailed”, “and gave”
which means “granted, bestowed, supplied and furnished” “gifts”
or “presents” “unto men” which refers to “human
beings whether male or female”. Jesus “freed” those who were
previously imprisoned, and gave them “presents” as well.
When
we think through these words of Paul, great advantage was “given”
to us because Jesus “rose on high”. People who were held
“captive” were set free, and those who were in need of
“gifts” were given them. Perhaps we feel “capture, held
down” and in great need of freedom, Jesus “ascended”.
Perhaps we are in need of “presents”, Jesus “ascended”,
and perhaps we were in need of God's marvelous offer of “grace”,
Jesus “ascended”.
Next
time Paul shares how Jesus “ascended” but
“descended first”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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