New words. Old words. New words are welcome words. Old words are wealthy words. In other words we want all words!
We’ve been discussing words of our faith that have fallen on hard times. They have been passed over as passé. They’ve been deemed old fashioned, obsolete, outdated, and outmoded. Unfortunately we haven’t always found new words to carry the truth of the words we’ve left at the curb.
Here’s a word we don’t hear much anymore: session. One reason we don’t hear the word much is that is a theological word rather than a biblical word. That doesn’t mean the truth it conveys isn’t taught in the Bible, but rather that it is a word used by thinkers-about-God to describe what the Bible does in fact teach. In that regard it is not unlike the word Trinity. You won’t find it in your concordance, but you’ll find its truth throughout the Bible.
When we use the word session it refers to “the session of Christ.” Or, to put it another way, it designates the fact that Christ currently is seated at the right hand of God the Father. Our English word comes from an Old French word which in turn came from a Latin word which described, simply, “the act of sitting.” We still say “the court is in session,” meaning the judge is in place, seated and conducting a trial. Christ’s session was prophesied in the Old Testament (Psalm 110:1), predicted by Christ when on earth (Luke 20:41-43), and fulfilled in fact as recorded in the New Testament (Mark 16:19). Having died, having been raised, and having ascended to heaven, Christ was seated by the Father at His right hand. “When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb. 1:3b). This great fact is marvelous for many reasons.
For one thing the truth of Christ’s session puts our efforts to gain God’s favor to rest. The fact that Christ “sat down” indicates that His work is complete, entire, finished. “But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God” (Heb. 10:12). We can rest in Christ’s finished work of atonement for our sins. Christ’s session proves He was correct when He cried from the cross, “It is finished!” (John 19:30).
The truth of Christ’s session puts our hearts at rest. All our enemies are defeated. God’s own power was “exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church” (Eph. 1:20-22). Christ is He “who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand– with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him” (1 Pet. 3:22). Be at rest! All our sins have been paid for. “The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven” (Heb. 8:1). Be at rest! All accusations against us have been silenced! “Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died– more than that, who was raised to life– is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (Rom. 8:34).
The truth of Christ’s session directs our focus. “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God” (Col. 3:1). “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2).
The truth of Christ’s session enables our obedience. Having been seated Christ joined the Father in sending the Holy Spirit. “Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.” (Acts 2:33)
The truth of Christ’s session fuels our hope. Jesus said, “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne” (Rev. 3:21).
Christ our King is on His throne! All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him. All His enemies have been put under His feet. And He is in place to assure the application of His salvation to you. Christ sat down. So be at rest! Stop striving for acceptance. Stop worrying. Start looking. Start obeying. Start expecting. The King is in session!