Inheritance and Power (Feast of the Ascension)

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In his commentary on the Resurrection of Christ, St. Paul speaks of the blessings that accompany those who place their hope in Him. Two words in particular stand out in the passage: Inheritance, and power.

By inheritance, he refers to eternal life, which is promised to everyone who believes in Christ (John 3:16-18, etc.). By faith, believers have no need to fear God’s condemnation, for our sins have been totally wiped away, and our access to Heaven secured. This promise finds its greatest fulfillment in the New Jerusalem, where believers will share in God’s glory and enjoy eternal bliss, free of all pain and suffering (Revelation 21-22).

By power, he refers to God’s ability to do anything, because He is omnipotent and omniscient. By faith, believers have access to that power, as Christ taught when He said that those who have faith even the size of a mustard seed can move mountains (Matthew 17:20). Through this power, we are able to perform mighty works and overcome all the adversities of this world, all to the glory of God.

Finally, Paul states in verses 20-21 that God has exalted Christ above every rule, authority and dominion. In this, he repeats the Christ hymn of Philippians 2:9-10 where it says, “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Such exaltation is only befitting of deity, and is one of many ways Paul affirms the divinity of Christ.

As believers, we receive the benefits of Christ’s power, and look forward to the inheritance He has purchased for us. The hope of that inheritance should always sustain us as we continue to strive to live for Him.

J. Luis Dizon