On His Head Are Many Diadems
This might sound controversial at first, but it’s not meant to be. It’s more of an exhortation than a critique. Let me state it and then explain it.
I have a complaint about our typical Easter Sunday celebration and theology: too often, we only emphasize the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Well … isn’t that what we’re supposed to do?!? Of course, and we should! But the problem is that we just stop there. And that gospel theology doesn’t go far enough. Why? Because Christ’s redeeming work doesn’t end with his resurrection; it continues with his royal priestly ascension and reign next to the Father.
At the beginning of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul can’t write about the gospel for very long without jumping straight into the reign and kingship of Christ. He prays without ceasing that the church in Ephesus (and us today) would have “the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he RAISED him from the dead AND SEATED him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:18–23, emphasis mine).
Easter Sunday celebrations must obviously center on the resurrection of Christ, as you can see in Paul’s teaching above. But it should also include his ascension to the right hand of the Father and his “right here, right now” reign.
If you ever wonder what Jesus is doing in heaven, right here, right now, he’s reigning. Everything has been placed under his feet. Right here, right now, Jesus reigns over all the things in life that distress you, all the situations that confuse you, all the locations that leave you with more questions than answers, and all the relationships that cause you grief.
Christ’s reign is not a future thing. It’s a present reign that will culminate in his future reign.
Jesus’s reign began at his ascension to the right hand of the Father. As the royal, reigning Son, he is destroying every authority, power, and enemy that stands in the way of the final victory of the redeemed. He will not stop exercising his royal power until every last enemy is under his feet, including death. Then he will welcome us into his final kingdom forever.
There will be a moment when there’s nothing left to put under his feet, and the Reigning King will say, “Come, enter into my kingdom. All things are now ready. I’ve been reigning on your behalf all along. You may not have seen me, you may not have realized it, but all along, I’ve been reigning for you. Now, enter into my kingdom and enjoy my reign forever and ever and ever. It will be without suffering. It will be without sin. It will be without sorrow, and we will reign together forever and ever and ever.”
Until then, this means that you are never alone in your spiritual struggles. Your royal King is, right here, right now, defeating all the enemies that seek to defeat you. He is conquering foes that you do not have the power to conquer. He is putting under his divine feet the things that seem to overpower you.
His reign is not just your future hope; it is your hope, right here, right now. Yes, you serve a risen Savior, but it’s vital to remember that he is also a conquering King. He is right now harvesting the spoils of the victory of his life, death, and resurrection. That harvest is for you.
In the reign of King Jesus, you not only have hope for all of eternity, but for everyday life today. So, this Easter Sunday, don’t just stop your theological meditation and celebration at the resurrection; reflect on his royal priestly ascension and his kingly reign.
Since we’ve been spending the last several weeks in Wednesday’s Word considering classic hymns of the Christian faith, let’s do that again today. If you don’t sing it at church on Easter Sunday, then I would encourage you to sing the hymn, “Crown Him with Many Crowns,” at home or in the car.
Every single line is bursting with gospel resurrection and reigning theology, and I particularly love the end of the second verse in light of the Scripture passages we just studied:
who died and rose on high,
who died eternal life to bring,
and lives that death may die.
Your resurrected, reigning King Jesus is so glorious and so powerful that one crown is not enough for his head: “On his head are many diadems” (Revelation 19:12).
You are loved, accepted, and protected by the King of kings and Lord of lords. He lived, died, rose, and ascended for you. And right here, right now, he reigns over you and everything in your life until you reign with him.
This Easter, celebrate and remember the resurrection, ascension, and reign of Christ so we can continue to endure!
“Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy, for:
If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
if we endure, we will also reign with him.”
(2 Timothy 2:8–12)
A Prayer for Today: Lord God, thank you that your reign is not just in the future, but living and active right now in the present. Jesus, you ascended to the Father, and you are ruling over all things. Help me to view everything in my life through the lens of your control and command, and may I have faith to believe that one day, all evil will be abolished. You will reign over all things and I will reign with you—thank you for such an astonishing gift. It’s because of you, Jesus, and you alone that I can know and experience these blessings. I’m so grateful. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Discussion Prompt for Children
1. What does it mean for a king to reign over his kingdom? Why is God the highest, ultimate King? Where is God’s Kingdom? How does God’s Kingdom include you and me?
2. Do you feel lonely sometimes? Because God is always reigning and ruling over every part of every thing, what does that mean for us when we’re feeling lonely?
3. When we don’t understand what is happening in life and how God is ruling over things, how can we be sure we can trust God? How can we know that he is loving? How can we know that he cares about us? How can we know that he is in control?
4. A normal king wears a crown…but the Bible says that Jesus is wearing many crowns. Why do you think Jesus has a lot of crowns? What do you think that means for you and me? Why is Easter an important time to remember that Jesus is ruling and reigning?
Reflection Questions
1. Why do you think it’s so important to highlight the ascension of Jesus to the Father this Easter season? Why might it be easy for churches and Christians to neglect highlighting the ascension of Jesus…not only at Easter, but all year round?
2. What specifically comforts you, knowing that Jesus is ruling and reigning over all things right this very moment? How might the statement “Jesus is ruling over everything” be confusing to you or others? How can we know for sure that Jesus’ reign is definite both now and in the age to come?
3. When life seems completely chaotic and you don’t understand what is happening or how God is ruling over things, how can you be sure you can trust God? How can you know that he is loving? How can you know that he cares about you? How can you know that he is sovereign over all things?
4. Why are you never truly alone in your struggles? How does knowing you’re not alone bring you comfort? How can knowing that help you appreciate and worship more deeply this Easter?