Yesterday’s post was a meditation on the idea of Christ’s kingship. I briefly mentioned the idea of Christ being seated at the right hand of the Father in the throne room of glory, even as I write and you read. I also mentioned the concept of the place at the right hand. It was not a position given to just anyone, but rather, those who had proven themselves to be trustworthy and it was often based on past accomplishments. Christ sits at the right hand because He is Creator and Redeemer and his finished work on the Cross becomes the the basis for His position.

The writer to the Hebrews reinforces these truths, both that Christ is currently seated at the right hand and that it is tied to His work on the Cross (Hebrews 1:3-4):

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

After Christ’s ascension (Acts 1:6-11), He was seated at the right hand of the Father. Though we know that Christ will come again to bring His people finally and fully home and to deliver the death-blow to evil, there is a sense in which His work is complete. He has accomplished redemption for His people, and in this regard, He takes His rightful place.

In another sense, however, Christ’s work is ongoing. In Romans 8:33-34, Paul asks the rhetorical question “Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect?” Demonstrating why the answer is “no one,” Paul says that “Christ Jesus is the one who died–more than that, who was raised–who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” Christ uses His position of authority and influence to continually intercede for His people. Using different terminology, 1 John 2:1 refers to Christ as our “advocate.”

Though Christ has accomplished atonement for His people, He continues to actively minister to and for His people, interposing His righteousness for our iniquity so that when God looks at us He sees Christ’s righteousness imputed to us (yes, I know that the idea of imputed righteousness is a lightning rod for some, yes I do believe it) so that He intercedes for His people.

This truth is beautifully portrayed in a text that I have read numerous times without realizing its significance as a tremendously powerful portrait of Christ’s continued ministry to His people. Acts 7 presents the last sermon of Stephen. He recounts the long history of Israelite rejection of the prophets, ultimately leading to the rejection of The Prophet, the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

7:54 tells us the reaction: “Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him.” How often is this our reaction to the truth about Christ. We grind our teeth because the truth of Christ shines the spotlight of God’s glory on our pride and self-centeredness. As they rush upon him, we read that Stephen, being “full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55-56).

Did you catch it? There is a subtle yet important distinction here. The other texts that refer to Christ being at the right hand of the Father describe Jesus as being seated. However, Stephen sees him “standing at the right hand of God” ready to receive Him. Though brief, this is a powerful reminder of Christ’s continued ministry for His people.

Stephen, in the midst of martyrdom, gazes upward, and the Holy Spirit allows Him to see into the throne room where he sees His awaiting Lord and Savior standing to receive Him. Perhaps this is at least partly why Paul commands the Colossians and us to “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:1-3).

No matter your circumstance, no matter your lot in life, Christ stands for His people. As we approach Resurrection Day, dwell on the glorious truth that Christ’s ministry is ongoing for His people, that He continues to intercede for us and stand for us in our time of need. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed.