Christ, the Head of the Church

Ephesians 1:22‑23  •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 11
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When the Lord ascended, on His way up, He was a conqueror in triumph, leading captivity captive. But when He reached His heavenly seat, He became a crowned priest,1 and sent down coronation gifts to His Church, by the ministry of which He is either forming or strengthening the union between Himself and the members here, and their union among themselves. These ministries thus act like the joints and bands in the human body; and all other ministries the Apostle sets aside as “rudiments of the world,” fitted to those who are alive in the world, but most unsuited to those who are—as the Church is—dead and risen with Christ (see Eph. 4:1616From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:16); Col. 2:19-2319And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. 20Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21(Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh. (Colossians 2:19‑23)).
 
1. The “glory and honor” that form our Lord's present crown were typified by Aaron's garments, which were said to be to him for “glory and beauty” (Ex. 28:22And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty. (Exodus 28:2)). And the very same words are used in the Septuagint, for “glory and beauty,” as our translators have rendered, “glory and honor” in Hebrews 2:77Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honor, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: (Hebrews 2:7); so that the Lord's present crown is a priest's crown or miter, and not a king's. He has not put on His royal crown yet.