Church Government is about Worship, Part II - 1 Timothy 3:16

(16d) …(he was) seen by angels…

We must remind ourselves that this hymn exists in a context about how the pastors are to govern the church of God. And so we see that the foundation and goal of church government – of teaching, of offices, of correction, of everything – is worship of Jesus the Messiah.

And if you don’t remember the first two phrases, go back and read them and remind yourself of the glory of Christ in his incarnation and resurrection.

And now we see that Jesus, risen from the dead, was seen by the angels.

Why is this significant? Angels spend their time in the presence of God. They do his will. They belong to a whole other realm; one that we can’t see. They behold glory unhindered, and so they cover their faces – see Isaiah 6.

Furthermore, when Jesus rose from the dead, he was granted all authority. 1 Peter 3:22 says that through his resurrection, Christ is “at the right hand of God (the place of authority), with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.”

Speaking of the spiritual realm – though particularly fallen angels, Paul says in Colossians 2 that by Jesus’ death and resurrection, “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame…”

1 Peter 3:19 says that Jesus, after his resurrection, made proclamation of his victory to fallen angels as well.

And more, we see that through Jesus’ humiliation and resurrection, he inherited a position much greater than the angels – who are in God’s presence forever, doing his will – see Hebrews 1.

And so we must be careful lest we make a mistake – and behold Jesus as a mere resurrected human. He is certainly a resurrected human. But he is not merely that. He is very God, exercising all authority in the universe – everywhere – eternally. The angels have beheld him. And though much more powerful than us, more wise than us, and certainly seeing God in a way that we don’t yet see him – they have seen the resurrected Son of God – who reigns from heaven over all things forever.

And now, according to Hebrews 2, they serve us at Jesus’ command – since he has perfectly rescued all who are his out of this world.

Summary:
1) The resurrected Jesus was seen by angels – they experienced firsthand his crowning as Ruler of EVERYTHING.
2) Angels are in the presence of God, and are smarter and stronger than us.
3) Jesus reigns over all things now. He is God, reigning forever – and with that authority, rescuing us.

Prayer:
Father, you have exalted Christ by raising him from the dead. He was righteous, and you have rewarded him for it. And because of that righteousness, you will one day reward us, who in your love, you have joined to your Son. You have magnified Christ in the spiritual realms – in realms we can’t see – but you’ve told us about it so we’d know just how great Jesus is. Cause us to have eyes that see how glorious he is, ears that hear with joy, hearts that give thanks, and an undying zeal to honor him who saved us by his blood.
And in that blood we ask, amen.