The Session of Christ: Seated at God's Right Hand
Last updated: 2026-04-13
The session of Christ refers to His exaltation to the highest place of authority and favor at the Father's right hand following His ascension. From this position, Christ reigns as the Head of His church, interceding for His people, subduing their enemies, and governing all things for their eternal good.
👑 The Meaning of Christ's Session
The session of Christ signifies that our Savior, having finished His work of redemption, has been advanced to the seat of supreme authority. As the Westminster Larger Catechism Q.54 explains, Christ, as the God-man, is exalted to the highest favor with the Father, holding all power in heaven and on earth. He is not merely resting, but actively ruling, gathering and defending His church while subduing those who stand against it. The Heidelberg Catechism Q.50 adds that Christ has ascended for the purpose of appearing as the Head of His church, through whom the Father governs all things. This reality reminds us that despite the chaos of this world, the risen Christ remains upon the throne, ensuring that the gospel advance will never be thwarted.
Sources: Westminster Larger Catechism Q.54 · Heidelberg Catechism Q.50
⚓ A Gospel Anchor for the Believer
The session of Christ is not a cold theological abstraction but a source of profound comfort for the believer. Because Christ is our advocate in the presence of the Father, we have an unbreakable assurance of our standing before God, rooted in His finished work rather than our own performance. As the Heidelberg Catechism Q.49 notes, the fact that our human flesh is now in heaven is a sure pledge that Christ, as our Head, will eventually bring us into His glory. We are invited to rest in the finished work of our Savior, who intercedes for us even now: Hebrews 7:25. We are indeed more sinful than we dared believe, yet because of Christ's position at the right hand of the Father, we are more accepted and loved in Him than we ever dared hope.
Sources: Hebrews 7:25 · Heidelberg Catechism Q.49
Christ's current kingly reign involves Him ruling over all creation, actively gathering and defending His church, and making intercession for His people from the right hand of God. This reign ensures that even while we face trials, He is sovereignly working all things for our good until His final return to judge the world.
👑 A Reign of Sovereignty and Grace
Christ's present kingly office is not a passive waiting, but an active, powerful governance. As the Westminster Larger Catechism Q.54 explains, He possesses all fullness of power in heaven and earth, using that authority to gather His church, furnish His ministers with graces, and subdue all enemies. This is a gospel reality; because He is our King, we are not left to fend for ourselves. He actively subdues us to Himself, ruling over our own hearts and protecting us against the assaults of the world and the devil as described in Westminster Shorter Catechism Q.26. The Apostle Paul confirms this present authority: Ephesians 1:20-22.
Sources: Westminster Larger Catechism Q.54 · Westminster Shorter Catechism Q.26 · Ephesians 1:20-22
🙏 Our Advocate and Intercessor
Part of Christ’s reign is His ongoing work as our High Priest. Because He sits at the right hand of the Father, He serves as the Head of His church, ensuring that the Father governs all things in view of our eternal interest, as noted in Heidelberg Catechism Q.50. He is not a distant ruler; He represents us before the Father, ensuring that we are accepted despite our continued struggle with sin. We are more flawed than we dare believe, yet more loved in Christ than we dare hope, because our King is also our Mediator. As Hebrews declares, Hebrews 7:25.
Sources: Heidelberg Catechism Q.50 · Hebrews 7:25
Related Questions
See all 13 Christology questions →
You Might Also Explore
Want to explore more?
Ask a question