“Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” (Matthew 26:64)
This powerful declaration was spoken by Christ while standing before the religious leaders of His day who had accused and arrested Him. Yet in that hour of weakness He proclaimed His future majesty with perfect certainty. The One being questioned on earth would soon sit in power at the right hand of God in heaven. The Prisoner would be enthroned… the slain Lamb would reign as King over all.
Christ’s humiliation before men was never defeat. And the cross was not the collapse of His kingdom but the pathway to its manifestation. Every reproach, every wound, and every act of mockery was decreed by God. The suffering Servant remained the sovereign Son.
Clouds in Scripture are often associated with divine manifestation. Clouds covered Sinai when the law was given. The cloud of God’s glory filled the tabernacle and temple. At the transfiguration of Christ a cloud overshadowed the disciples. Christ ascended to heaven in clouds and shall return in the same manner.
And until that moment, Christ sits at the right hand of God. He presently reigns in power. The nations move beneath His providence. Kings rise and fall by His decree. His church is preserved by His hand. Even His enemies unknowingly serve His purposes until the appointed day of His return to reign on earth.
On that wonderful day, He shall come in the fullness of His glory, attended by saints and angels. His divine glory that was veiled during His earthly ministry will be fully displayed. The same eyes that once looked over Jerusalem through tears shall then burn with righteousness and truth.
Such glory belongs to Him by right for He is God’s eternal Son. The Word who was with God and was God shall appear in all His glory as God before all His creation. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
The world may reject Christ now. Men may ignore His authority and despise His truth. Yet the final word belongs not to those who rebel but to the enthroned Son. History moves toward His appearing.[1]
This passage reminds believers to look heavenward and remember that our crucified Redeemer presently reigns and will return visibly. His kingdom will be established on earth. His promises cannot fail and His glory cannot fade.
So let us adore Christ not only as the Saviour who died, but as the King who reigns and the Lord who will return in glory.
Contemplations:
- My Wonder at Christ’s Majesty. When I read these words, I cannot help but marvel that Christ spoke of His glory while standing before His accusers in weakness. He was rejected by men, but He knew the throne awaited Him. I allow struggles and hardships to fill my thoughts, but Christ never lost sight of the Father’s purpose. This causes me to reflect on how small my faith can be. I want my thoughts to rise higher and rest more in the glory that is to come.
- My Comfort in His Reign. I find great comfort remembering that Christ reigns now. I can become overwhelmed by events around me, seeing confusion, opposition, and instability. Yet this passage reminds me that none of these things move outside His authority. My life, my future, and even the affairs of nations remain under His government.
- My Desire for Reverence. I wonder how often I think too lightly of Christ’s majesty. I rightly think of Him as Savior, yet sometimes forget to meditate on Him as enthroned King. Reading this passage moves me to greater reverence in worship, greater seriousness in obedience, and deeper affection toward the One who reigns over all.
- My Hope in His Appearing. I am encouraged knowing history ends with Christ revealed in glory. The world will not continue forever in rebellion. The One now unseen shall appear openly. This gives me hope because the future belongs not to darkness but to the King who sits at the right hand of power.
Prayer (Adoration):
Most holy and eternal Father, my heart is lifted upward as I consider the majesty of Your beloved Son. It is a wonderful thing to remember that the One who stood before earthly judges now sits enthroned at Your right hand, clothed in honor and everlasting dominion.
Lord Jesus, Your glory was never diminished by the cross nor weakened by suffering. Even in humiliation You remained the eternal Son. Your crown was hidden for a time, yet never absent. The kingdom belonged to You then as surely as it does now.
As I think about Your coming, my heart is filled with reverence. You will appear openly, attended with glory, and all creation will know that You are Lord. The clouds that once concealed will then reveal. What faith now embraces will one day become sight.
Thank You that Your reign is present and active. Nothing escapes Your authority. The church rests securely in Your hand. The nations move according to Your purpose. My own life remains under Your wise and holy government.
Teach me to live with greater awareness of Your majesty. Let my worship become deeper, my obedience more sure, and my love more fervent. Guard me from treating lightly the One whom heaven itself adores.
Keep before my eyes the certainty of Your appearing. Let that hope steady my heart and strengthen my faith until the day when I behold Your glory openly.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for Matthew 26:64:
Psalm 110:1; Matt. 27:11; Acts 1:11; Rev. 1:7
[1] Edward Hyde, The Mystery of Christ in Us, (London: Ja. Cottrel, for Giles Calvert, at the black Spread Eagle at the West End of Paul’s, 1651), 157-161.
