Exalted above all, that is, well, and exalted description of the Lord Jesus Christ at the present time. He has been installed in the position of prominence over all creation. The details of this passage are specific and highly instructive. He is “seated,” meaning His work is completed. This took place upon His ascension into heaven (see Mark 16:19). Earthly priests offered repeated sacrifices which can never take away sins, and thus could never sit down with finality from their work (Heb 10:1). However, Christ’s priestly work was completed, having offered for all time one sacrifice for sins and so He sat down finally and completely (Hebrews 10:11-12).

The locus of His sitting was at the Father’s right hand (which is noted 10 times in the book of Hebrews), which is in the heavenly places, where our blessings are also found (Eph 1:4). Is it any wonder Paul reminds us of this connection, in light of what Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt 6:21)?

This place where Jesus currently resides and where our blessings are treasured is a place of authority. It is not just a protected place or passively occupied by Jesus. He reigns and nothing exists higher than Him. (We do not at this time enter the theological debate about the relationship of the authority of the Father and the Son. We simply observe here that to be seated at the Father’s right hand is to share fully in the Father’s authority).

This authority extends to all that exists. That includes every and all governing authorities. Jesus had taught His disciples this truth in seminal form at the time of the great commission when He said, “All authority has been given to me, go therefore and make disciples…” (Matt 28:18-19). There is nothing more compelling and more comforting to know in any circumstance of life than this, that our God is in control. Nothing oversteps His sovereignty. Demons are now, and will be shown to be, nothing more than His footstool (Heb 1:13, 10:13). Even Satan is subject to God’s permission (Job 1-2). And “…at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth…” (Phil 2:10). And so, with our blessings and our position in Christ, we are compelled to fall before Him as our Lord and obey Him.