In a message titled, THE SACRIFICE OF THE SON (Eph. 1:7-12), we continued our look at the longest sentence in the Bible which is all about the glory of God. Having started with God the Father last week, today we entered into the section devoted to God the Son.
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sin…” (Eph. 1:7a). It is important to note God who is “One” also eternally exists in three Persons- Father, Son and Holy Spirit- which are equal in nature, equal in glory and distinct in relations (Deut. 6:4-5; Matt. 28:18-19; Mark 12:29; Matt. 3:16-17, etc.). As verse 7 shows us, it was not the Father or the Holy Spirit who shed His blood for us, but God the Son. Eternally begotten Jesus became human (i.e. God with us) dying in our place on the cross and rising from the dead to “redeem” those who believe (Eph. 1:7; 1 Cor. 15:3-4, etc.). God did not want any to perish eternally, “soul and body,” in unquenchable fire so He sent His Beloved Son (John 3:16; Mark 9:43, 48; Matt. 5:22; 10:28; 25:41; Rev. 20:14-15; Jude 1:6, 9; Luke 16:25-26, etc.). The payment for buying us back was His precious blood/life costing more than we can fully comprehend (Eph. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; Col. 1:13-14; Heb. 7:27; Mark 14:24; Lev. 17:11; Heb. 9:22b; Rom. 3:24-25; Matt. 26:39; Ps. 22:1; 103:12, etc.).
One day He will return gathering “together… all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and earth” reversing the effects of sin and death in this world at His kingdom (Eph. 1:8-10; 1 Cor. 15:27; Col. 1:20; Isa. 2:2-4; 11:1-10; Zech. 14:9, etc.). Only saved people will be there (John 3:7; 14:6, etc.). We are both His inheritance and participate in God’s inheritance (Eph. 1:11; Rom. 8:16-23, etc.). This is all for “the praise of His glory” (Eph. 1:6, 12, 14, etc.).