Saturday in the Twenty-Fourth Week of Ordinary Time

Hebrews 1:13

Your Enemies a Footstool for Your Feet

We live in a time which theologians call the “already/not yet.”  Another way to say it is that we live “between the times”—the time of his first coming and his second.  But what happened in his first coming changed the world and the times; for in that first coming, our Lord conquered sin, death, and hell through his substitutionary death and resurrection.  Now through faith in Jesus Christ, the sins of believers are forgiven on behalf of the Son so that they no longer need fear death or hell.  They are no longer slaves to the flesh, the world, or the devil but are free in Christ Jesus.

But as Hebrews 2:8 tells us, “At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.”  Though he has conquered death, we still die.  We still know the world as broken and in bondage to decay.  We struggle in our earthly tents with disease and pain.  And yes, we still struggle with temptation and sin.  This is what it means to live “between the times”: Even now we experience the blessings of what is sometimes called, “the new age,” as a result of his first coming; but we are still residents of “the old age” as well waiting for his second coming when he shall complete what he started.  This time in which we now live is called the “age of grace” or according to Latin, anno domini, “in the year of the Lord” (A.D.) in which people may come to saving faith and be born again.  Indeed, that is the whole purpose of this time spoken of by our Savior in the parables of the Ten Virgins and the Talents (Matthew 25:1-30). 

So here, the Preacher tells us that as a result of our Lord’s enthronement unto the Right Hand of Power, Psalm 110:1 has been fulfilled: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”  Peter quoted this passage on the day of Pentecost to explain the outpouring of the Holy Spirit as a result of Christ’s being seated at the Right Hand of God (Acts 2:29-36), Paul referred to it to speak to our Lord’s current reign from heaven and the ultimate defeat of death in the general resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20-28), and our Lord quoted the passage to stump the Pharisees and implicitly show that it spoke of himself as not only David’s son but his Lord (Matthew 22:41-46).  Make no mistake: “The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all” (Psalm 103:19).  Death is on life-support, and his days are numbered—and those days are numbered by the Lord himself.  So look up, for your redemption draws near (Luke 21:28).  Our Lord reigns and one day, sin, death, hell, and the devil and all his hosts will all make a fine cushion for his feet.

Author: The Reformed Baptist

My name is Stephen Taylor, ordained Baptist minister of eighteen years pastoral experience with a Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Better than that, I am married to a godly woman, Karla, who has been very patient with me since 1989. I have two daughters, both of whom I homeschooled for extended periods of time, who became godly young women, and who ran off and married godly young men, all of which is very proper. The oldest daughter has even seen fit to bless me with a grandson and a granddaughter, and my youngest daughter with a grandson, all three of whom are bundles of exceeding joy. As you can see, I am quite blessed. This website is dedicated to helping people grow in the wisdom and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ through the gift of writing that the Lord has given to me. It is specifically about helping His people grow in godliness, the theme you see repeated above. I write devotions with this aim and hope that they might be of some help to God’s people. Full disclosure: I am of a Reformed bent, meaning that my understanding of Scripture is primarily informed by the Reformers and their successors of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. However, as a student of church history and theology, I strive to remain true to that teaching handed down once for all unto the saints through every age of the Church. I like to think of myself as a “catholic” Christian, as the Reformers thought of themselves. At any rate, feel free to read, pray, and contact me if you wish, or correct me if need be. As you can see, I tend to follow the church year. Of course, I make no special claims about these devotions. I know very well that others have written better and plumbed the depths of God’s word with greater insight. But if my musings help someone draw closer to the Lord, well then, I have my reward. Blessings to you and may the God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ speak to you that word which He knows you especially need to hear. Grace & peace, Stephen Taylor

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