Riches: Jesus loves His people (John 13:1). He rose victoriously from the dead, having inaugurated the new covenant (Jere. 31:31; Luke 22:20; 2 Cor. 3:6). This risen and victorious Savior then gave gifts to men (Eph. 4:8). He lavished upon them His “unfathomable riches” (Eph. 3:8). What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no heart has imagined, God has prepared for His people (1 Cor. 2:9). Jesus’ post-resurrection words assured them of these magnificent gifts.

Gifts: The first of these gifts was sonship. Jesus declared that believers are sons as He was son to the Father in His humanity. In Christ, we are now qualified to be sons of the Father (“your Father”). Though we failed to reflect the Father and bear His image as Jesus did (Col. 1:15; John 1:14), we are given the right of sonship because Jesus exchanged places with us on the cross. Thus, we who are one with Christ by faith are truly sons of God, even heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ (Gal. 3:29; Rom. 8:17). We will inherit God’s kingdom (Matt. 19:29; 25:34; Acts 20:32; 26:18; Eph. 1:11), reign together with Christ forever (Rev. 20:6; 22:5), and even call God “Abba Father” (Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6). Second is worship. Though we were defiled and disqualified for worship, with unclean hands and an impure heart, in Christ we are now qualified to ascend to God’s holy hill and stand in His holy place (Ps. 24:3-4; 15:1). Third is peace. Jesus gave peace to those who had no peace. This is supremely peace with God (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:13-14; Col. 1:20), the fountain from which all manner of peace flows. If the omnipotent and sovereign God is our Father, the entire cosmos works together for our good (Rom. 8:28-30), giving us perfect peace. These are the wondrous gifts Jesus won for us at the cross. Praise Him!