And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.

~Hebrews 10:11-13 NIV

Jesus takes us beyond the final sacrifice for sin.

Unlike the priests who covered the sins of Israel, Jesus, the perfect Lamb, became the sacrifice that took sins away forever. His work finished, He sat down at the right hand of God “till his enemies are made his footstool” or as my Bible footnote says, “to await the manifestation of his triumph over all his enemies.”

This is the heart of the gospel—the joy set before Christ when He endured the cross—that He would fully triumph over His enemy, Satan, and we would triumph with Him. The world Satan had stolen would be restored to God and His people.

Make Christ’s Enemies His Footstool

But have Christ’s enemies been made His footstool yet? They were defeated, yet wherever we do not see the light of Christ and the principles of the kingdom of God in charge, we know the enemy still operates. 

The answer to making this right lies with us. Christ secured our freedom from sin and death as the final sacrifice. He didn’t do this just to give us a happy life but so that we could fulfill God’s purpose. We, as members of the ecclesia, have been charged to enforce and complete the Great Commission.

All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations . . . teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.

Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV

Amazingly, we are told to disciple individuals and the nations of the earth as Christ’s ambassadors. Thankfully, we can accomplish this task through the life of Christ in us and with His authority. Jesus told Peter that his faith in Jesus as the Son of the living God was the foundation or rock on which Christ would build the church (Matthew 16:19). Although Jesus’ disciples didn’t understand the promise, we on this side of the cross should understand.

If this sounds to great and intimidating, let’s remember individuals are gifted in different ways and we each have a sphere of influence. Some operate on a greater stage than others, but we all have a call, not only to make converts, but to disciple nations. God doesn’t call unless He first equips.

We Have the Commands and Keys

We have Jesus’ commands, and He gave us the keys of authority. As His church, we have the promise that “the gates of Hades shall not prevail against [us]” (Matthew 16:18).

The Father promised these things to His Son. Therefore, the church will disciple the nations, and hell will not prevail. Jesus will come for His spotless Bride. Believers who have remained alert to their commission and fulfilled God’s clear commands will enter the wedding banquet (Matthew 12:1-13).

What a glorious future we have!

Be clear about your authority so you can be clear about your mission.

Father, Show me ways to act as your hands and feet in bringing Your kingdom to earth as it is in heaven. Teach me to pray with authority in agreement with Jesus who now lives in me. In His powerful Name, Amen.