My Favorite Chair

Several years ago, my wife bought me a Lazy Boy rocker recliner (not the one pictured!). It has become my favorite chair. Some evenings you will find me relaxing in it with my iced tea, cell phone, iPad, laptop, and TV remote control. These are my necessary riggings of authority. Life is good in my favorite chair.
When the grandkids come over, you will usually find two or three of them crammed into my recliner. They sense the authority of the Lazy Boy, and relish knowing that they are in my favorite chair. But, eventually, they go home and my clout is restored.
Former President John F. Kennedy had a rocking chair as his chair of authority. Due to his chronic back problems, his doctor, Janet G. Travell, designed a rocking chair that best helped his physical condition. President Kennedy conducted international affairs with many world leaders while sitting in his historic rocker. It is now on public display at the Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston Massachusetts.
In world history, the chair of authority was often called a throne. When the potentate or monarch sat in their position of power, they could make laws, issue decrees, and force servants to obey. It may be a wooden stool in Africa, or a golden chair in India, or a lavishly jeweled throne for European kings. Even the Pope has a throne of authority called the “Cathedra Romana.” I doubt the grandkids would sit in it.
Thrones were for the royal monarchs, not the common man. However, in the Bible times, teachers usually sat down during their lessons. Moses sat down in his seat of authority while administering legal cases (Exodus 18:13.) Even in the New Testament, Jesus was often seen sitting as He taught (Matthew 5:1). When Jesus was 12 years old, he sat with the elders and taught in the Temple (Luke 2:46). On one occasion, Jesus obtained a boat and sat in it while he taught the crowd (Matthew 13:2). On another occasion, Jesus sat at Jacob’s Well and ministered to the confused woman (John 4:6).
Possibly, there was a time when Jesus sat in an earthly chair restricted for royalty. In Luke 4, Jesus read the Scriptures about the Messiah. After He handed the scrolls back to the attendant, He sat down in the empty chair reserved for the Messiah! No wonder everyone stared at Him in awe. Then Jesus said in verse 21, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Did you know that Jesus is sitting in His favorite chair right now? It’s true! Listen to Hebrews 1:3 - “The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He SAT DOWN at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” And He is making intercession for us. That’s Good News!