"(Now this, He ascended, what is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things)" Ephesians 4:9-10

INSPIRED PARENTHESES (23)

"(Now this, He ascended, what is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things)" Ephesians 4:9-10

THIS is a heart-warming parenthesis. It takes up an Old Testament reference from a Messianic Psalm and enlarges upon it, explaining something of its vast content.

THE unenlightened reader might rightly enquire how the Lord could ascend up, since His permanent position was the highest in the universe. "Who is it?" the apostle asks, "who has ascended up on high?", and then himself supplies the answer: "It is he that first descended ...". This is the glory of the Incarnation, the fact that God Himself came down to man in the person of His Son.

IN one stroke of his pen, Paul depicts the great drama of redemption, reminding us that the Lord not only came down to this earth, but through His death upon the cross descended into the lower parts of the earth. How deep was His descent we can never understand. He who, in His equality with God, could not have been higher, consented for our sakes to plunge into depths which could not be lower, for He went down under the intolerable weight of our sins.

THIS particular aspect of His descent alluded to here is that of conflict. He went down into the depths of Satan's dark kingdom to do battle for God and for us. It was as though the earth itself stood still in that epic moment. The bright sun itself was obscured and there was darkness over the whole area. Out of that darkness, however, there came the great shout of victory: "It is finished".

HE did not stay in those depths but He rose again, leading captivity captive and rich with the spoils of battle. In another sweeping phrase, Paul describes this triumphant ascent of Christ as He passed from hell's depths to heaven's highest height: "He that descended, is the same also that ascended far above all ...". It is the same battle-scarred Jesus who went down into the depths for us, who is now exalted to infinite heights of glory, "that he might fill all things".

THIS parenthesis lies between statements about Christ's gracious giving: "He gave gifts to men ..." and "He gave some ...". This is the result of His great victory. This is what He has done and is doing with the booty gained from His conquest. The enemy is completely routed, all the captives are happily freed; now the Victor is busy sharing with His redeemed saints the rich blessings of His Calvary triumph. He will go on with His lavish giving until the redeemed are gathered with Him and made like Him -- "till we all attain unto ... the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ". Everything has been made possible by the great victory of the cross.

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