Paul knows this, and he quotes David’s statement twice in his writings. We’ve seen the first one in his prayer above, but look also at 1 Corinthians 15: “For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For ‘God has put all things in subjection under his feet’” (vv. 21-27a).
Why does Paul speak of this subjection in both the “already” and the “not yet” sense? (Reread the bold sections if you missed it). This "already/not yet" dynamic is true of much of the Christian life on this side of the cross. What was inaugurated in Christ’s first coming will be consummated at His second coming. While we rightly live in this tension of the “already/not yet,” we can do so with confidence and purpose, as Paul explains as he wraps up his prayer:
“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.”
Not only has God put all things under Christ’s feet, but He has also gifted Him to us, the church, to be our Head - our Authority and Supplier and Sustainer! This is not a distant, authoritarian relationship. Spiritually speaking, we are intimately connected to this Head, just as our physical body is fully connected to our head. The head controls everything.
Because of this connection, we have been called, equipped, and empowered to be Christ’s body to the world. Christ said that it was good that He go away for a time, but that He would send His Spirit to live within us, providing all we need until He returns to consummate our union with Him. We are just a “vapor” away from that day…. But for now, we have all we need to continue being the hands and feet of Jesus, spreading His fragrance, and seeking to fill this needy world with Him.
What a gift!! What a responsibility!! As we conclude studying this incredible prayer, let’s not conclude our prayers from it. Rather, let’s pray for one another, that we would constantly grow in our understanding of, and our response to these amazing realities. May we treasure Christ our Head so much that every part of our lives is oriented around His loving authority. May we be so convinced - so filled with Him - that others can’t help but experience Christ in us!
We’ve been given a mission, and we've been given all we need to obey it. But, we need Spiritual eyes to see and believe it.
