April 23rd | Jesus is the Head Over Everything for the Church

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS 

JESUS IS HEAD OVER EVERYTHING FOR THE CHURCH

Ephesians 1:22-23 “And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.” 

How could Jesus be King if He had no kingdom? Jesus is the “head,” the King, and the church is His body. God placed all things under Jesus who sits at His right hand and rules over heaven and earth. Jesus says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” (Matthew 28:20) 

When the word church is heard, for many what comes to mind is worship, Bible classes, a beautiful building, a denomination, pot lucks and meetings. Unfortunately, the word church today revolves around worship styles, preferred leaders, ministry strategies, power, and money. A modern definition of the church is, “a group of religious like-minded volunteers who gather to “do church.” This definition starts with us human beings and what we want to make the church look like. Biblically, the church begins with Jesus, who said, “I will build My church.” (Matthew 16:18)  

What is the Bible’s description of the church? The Third Article of the Apostle’s Creed says it is “the holy Christian church, the communion of saints. . .” “The Church is not primarily a building or an institution but is instead a “communion of saints.” Another way of saying this is, the Church is a “holy community.” The Church refers to “all who confess the name of Jesus even if their thoughts, words and deeds are imperfect. . .if we are to be holy, it (our holiness) will come to us only as a gift given through God’s grace through the incarnate, Jesus Christ.” (Large Catechism, page 404) Hence, St. Paul’s words in today’s devotional verses, “ . . . (God) appointed Him (Jesus) to be head over everything for the church, which is His body.” The church is where Christ is and the Means of Grace He has given to it are administered.   

Prayer: Jesus, King of kings and ruler over heaven and earth, bless Your Church. Amen. 

Built on the Rock the Church shall stand   Even when steeples are falling. Crumbled have spires in ev’ry land; Bells still are chiming and calling. Calling the young and old to rest, But above all the souls distressed, Longing for rest everlasting.  

Surely in temples made with hands   God, the Most High, is not dwelling;   High above earth His temple stands, All earthly temples excelling. Yet He who dwells in heav’n above Chooses to live with us in love, Making our bodies His temple.  

We are God’s house of living stones, Built for His own habitation. He through baptismal grace us owns   Heirs of His wondrous salvation. Were we but two His name to tell, Yet He would deign with us to dwell With all His grace and His favor. 

Here stands the font before our eyes,   Telling how God has received us. The Altar recalls Christ’s sacrifice And what His Supper here gives us.    Here sound the Scriptures that proclaim Christ Yesterday, today, the same, And evermore, our Redeemer. 

Grant, then, O God, Your will be done, That, when the church bells are ringing, Many in saving faith may come   Where Christ His message is bringing;   “I know My own; My own know Me.    You, not the world, My face shall see, My peace I leave with you. Amen.

(LSB 645)