The Greatest Ruler Series

We are ahead of our time when we bow to Jesus, for one day every knee will bow and

every tongue confess him as Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Back in 1917 at the Annual

Exhibition of the Royal Academy in London, Charles Butler exhibited a painting he had

worked on for three years. It is called the King of Kings. Jesus is the central figure standing

at the foot of his cross and is receiving the homage of the royalty of the world. 158 portraits

are there of great rulers including George Washington. So luminous is the halo around the

head of Christ that many thought there must be a light behind it, but not so. It was due to

much prayer as the artist mixed his paint to capture the superiority of Jesus over all other

rulers.

Jesus is, without a doubt, the greatest ruler there ever was, or ever will be. The question

in verse 12 is, “To which of the angels did God ever say, ‘Sit at my right hand until I make

your enemies a footstool for your feet?’” This is to make it clear that Jesus is superior to any

and every angelic power ever created, but it equally applies to all other beings in the

universe. There has never been, and there will never be anyone who receives such an

invitation to that exalted place at God’s right hand, for Jesus alone has taken that position,

which makes Him the greatest ruler in the universe. The book of Hebrews is not alone in its

emphasis on Jesus being exalted to the highest place of power and prestige at God’s right

hand. Here are all the texts that do the same.

Ephesians 4:8 - "ascended up an high"

Ephesians 4:10 - "ascended up far above all heavens"

Acts 2:33 - "by the right hand of God exalted"

Acts 2:34 - "into the heavens"

Acts 7:55-56 - "standing on the right hand of God"

Romans 8:34 - "at the right hand of God"

Ephesians 1:20 - "at his own right hand in the heavenly places"

Colossians 3:1 - "where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God"

Hebrews 1:3 - "sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high"

Hebrews 8:1 - "set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty In the heavens"

Hebrews 18:12 - "sat down on the right hand of God"

Hebrews 12:2 - "set down at the right hand of the throne of God"

I Peter 3:22 - "Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God"

This is an impressive amount of evidence that supports the conviction that Jesus is the

greatest ruler in the universe. He governs the universe from this position of equality with

God the Father. Paul in Eph. 1:19-21 sums up the point beautifully. “That power is like the

working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead

and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority,

power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in

the one to come.” This is conclusive, and it settles it once and for all for those who accept the

Bible as God’s revelation.

Jesus is above all other rulers and powers in the universe, and He is the greatest ruler

that will ever be. All other rulers will come and go, but His throne will endure forever. In

Christ we are under a government that will never pass away. What Jesus did for us on

Calvary to atone for our sin is completed and will remain in effect for all eternity. His

pardon is not one that can be overturned by a new administration. Verses 10 through 12

stress that everything in heaven and on earth can change and pass away, but Jesus will

remain the same forever. In 13:8 it is stated, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today

and forever.” We have a friend in high places, or, rather, the highest place, and it will never

change. No revolution can alter the government of the universe. The throne of power is

securely held by our Lord and Savior, and this is the basis for our assurance. The whole

universe can collapse, but His throne will endure for eternity. Our text stresses two positions

that Jesus has as the greatest ruler in the universe, and we want to look at the significance of

each of them.

POSITION ONE-HE SAT DOWN

When you sit down you are usually finished with something and are ready for a time of

resting. God rested after Creation, and we see Jesus resting after Crucifixion. He said on