The Creator Who Sustains Everything

After Jesus’ resurrection, Christ ministered for over forty days, appearing to his disciples and even to some large groups. During this time, he taught them about his Kingdom. But at the end of the forty days, he gathered them at Jerusalem and charged them with this task: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

As Jesus ascended to heaven, disappearing from their sight, the disciples were left in a state of awe and sadness. They continued to gaze at the sky, their hearts heavy with the loss of his physical presence.  In this moment of vulnerability, two angels appeared, offering words of comfort and encouragement. They reminded the disciples to trust in Jesus’ promise to return, just as he had ascended (Acts 1:9-11).

Jesus’ final ascension to heaven was a moment of grandeur, a public display of his divine power.  Paul’s words echo this, as he tells us that Christ was not only raised from the dead by the mighty power of the Father but also that the Father “seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, (Eph 1:20-21).

This story affirms our belief in Christ as our creator and sustainer. Paul tells us he will also be our final judge with authority over all. Knowing who Christ is gives us courage and peace.

Christ’s exaltation at the Father’s “right hand in the heavenly realms” was glorious! Christ has been given authority over every power in the universe. Not only is Christ the creator, but he sustains everything by his Lordship. Jesus created and set in motion the entire universe. Sir Isaac Newton, it is said, had an exact replica of our solar system made in miniature. At its center was a large golden ball representing the sun, and revolving around it were smaller spheres attached at the ends of rods of varying lengths. They represented Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, and the other known planets. These were all geared together by cogs and belts to make them move around the “sun” in perfect harmony.

One day as Newton was studying the model, a friend who did not believe in God stopped by for a visit. Marveling at the device, and watching as the scientist made the heavenly bodies move in their orbits, the man exclaimed, “My, Newton, what an exquisite thing! Who made it for you?” Without looking up Sir Isaac replied, “Nobody.” “Nobody?” his friend asked. “That’s right! I said nobody! All of these balls and cogs and belts and gears just happened to come together, and wonder of wonders, by chance they began revolving in their set orbits and with perfect timing.” His friend got the message. The Scriptures proclaim that Jesus is the Creator! By virtue of his Creatorship and then his Saviorhood, everything is twice his because he made it and bought it.[i]

[i] R. Kent Hughes, Ephesians, Crossway Books, Wheaton, IL, 1990, P. 61.