The Eternal Union in the Person and Work of the Redeemer
Ephesians 4:9-10
(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?…


I. THERE WAS UNION BETWEEN THE GREATNESS OF CHRIST'S PERSON AND THE GREATNESS OF HIS OBEDIENCE. He was so great that He could not be greater. There was no possibility of His going higher. That is what Jesus Christ did in coming to the world — "He descended." He not only assumed human nature, body and soul, into union with His Divine Person; but more than that — "He descended." The Divine Person came down — the Divine Person was in the manger — He, the whole of Him, was made under the law.

II. THERE WAS UNION BETWEEN THE GREATNESS OF THE OBEDIENCE AND THE MERITS OF THE SUFFERINGS. Here again there must be no dividing. The sufferings without the obedience would not have been an atonement; and the sufferings and the obedience would not have given satisfaction without the greatness of the Person. And though He rendered perfect obedience in life, yet He could not be a Saviour without suffering — without shedding His blood. In hell there is suffering, but no obedience; in heaven there is obedience, but no suffering; but here, in one place, we behold both obedience and suffering.

III. THERE IS UNION BETWEEN THE MERITS OF THE SUFFERINGS AND THE HEIGHT OF THE EXALTATION (ascension). "He who descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens." He could not ascend without descending first, and descending lower than the earth. All the riches of the Godhead as Creator would not pay our debt. He must give Himself as our ransom.

IV. THERE IS UNION AGAIN BETWEEN THE HEIGHT OF HIS EXALTATION AND HIS WORK IN FILLING ALL THINGS TO THE END OF TIME: "that He might fill all things." The Bible teaches us that He could not fill the Church without ascending up far above all heavens. Whilst here in poverty and bondage, working out our salvation, He was out of His poverty enriching those who came into contact with Him; but now He is rich in mercy, and from the throne He administers forgiveness. His great work on earth was to fill the demands of heaven; and His great work in heaven is to fill the demands of earth. From the earth He filled heaven with obedience; and from heaven He fills the earth with forgiveness. From the earth He filled heaven with satisfaction; and from heaven He fills the earth with peace. From the earth He filled heaven with atonement; and from heaven He fills the earth with holiness.

(Lewis Edwards, D. D.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

WEB: Now this, "He ascended," what is it but that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?




The End and Design of Christ's Ascension
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