Wednesday July 13, 2022

Today is Wednesday, July 13. We continue our tour of Ephesus traveling to the fourth chapter of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.

In the morning, I wait for a word from my Heavenly Father, I sit at the feet of my Lord Jesus to learn his truth, and I open myself to the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Holy and Loving God, thank you for inviting me to sit with you in the stillness of daybreak as you surround me with your embrace of steadfast love. I breathe slowly and deeply – exhaling my concerns and worries into your trustworthy care and inhaling your joy and peace to carry with me throughout my day. Amen.

I praise Christ my Savior and celebrate his victory over sin and death with the prophetic words of Psalm 68.

When you ascended on high, you took many captives; you received gifts from people, even from the rebellious— that you, Lord God, might dwell there. Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death. Psalm 68:18-20

Pause and Pray

In the next section of the letter to the Ephesians, Paul quoted, updated, and interpreted Psalm 68 in light of God’s victory in Jesus Christ. Paul was lifting up Jesus for believers to cherish as the triumphant victor of the souls of humanity. Psalm 68 was originally written to praise God for his victory saving his people from captivity in Babylon. After the Babylonian empire destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple (586 B.C.), they forced the people into exile and held them in bondage in far away Babylon. In wartime, people were captured by an enemy when their territory was seized and they were then exiled. Paul expanded this vision in several significant ways in these three verses. (Fredrick J. Long, The Letter to the Ephesians)

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) Ephesians 4:7-10

Paul utilizes the original images of Psalm 68, but now Jesus Christ is the victor and the enemy that has trapped people in captivity is Satan. Each of us is born into slavery – imprisoned by the enemy, separated and alienated from God. Christ won us back. He paid the ransom and set us free. In Psalm 68 gifts flow from the people to God, however, Paul interprets the gifts flowing from Jesus Christ to the people. This is similar to the practice of Roman generals following a military victory. The triumphant general traditionally gave gifts to his soldiers. Paul was presenting a counter-victory, one that rivaled Roman victories of the day. Jesus descended to gain the victory for humanity and then rose from the dead, ascending to God’s right hand, and is forever seated on the throne of heaven. This gift of Christ’s victorious grace is given to me.

Ask: Have I fully received the gift of grace that has been given to me by Christ? Have I fully rejected and renounced the captivity of the enemy of my soul?

Pause and Pray

Dear Lord Jesus, I am ever grateful for the portion of grace you have given to me. Thank you for setting me free from my former captivity and separation from God. Thank you for descending into this evil world and fighting the battle for my soul. You are higher than the heavens, seated on the throne of eternity at the right hand of God the Father. May the entire universe be filled with your amazing love and grace. I read the words from Ephesians again and listen for the message you have for me.

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) Ephesians 4:7-10

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

This is a particularly difficult passage for us to listen for the voice of the Father. There is a lot going on in the text and when it is combined with the original Psalm it is even more complex. Yet God wants to speak to me through his sacred word. Whatever word or phrase resonates with me today, I ruminate on how it might apply to my current situation and/or state of my soul. I especially like how Paul begins this sentence, “But to each one of us.” No one is excluded, overlooked or forgotten. Each one of us includes me. How do I find myself in today’s text?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Jesus, mighty Savior and triumphant Redeemer. I claim victory over sin and death because of you – Victory in Jesus! You ascended into heaven and are seated high on the throne, yet you have not forgotten me. I invite you to come near this day and remind me of the forgiveness and grace you pour out upon me and others. Fill my heart with your bounteous love. Amen.

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:54-57

As I leave this time of prayer, I walk in the victory of Jesus my Savior forever. I go to share the truth of his redeeming love with a broken world.

Amen