EPHESIANS 4:10

“He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)”

Have you ever experienced such joy and happiness that you thought you were going to burst? Maybe you were about to see a close friend whom you haven’t seen in years. Perhaps a loved one who has been away is coming home. Maybe, it’s the birth of a grandchild (I can relate to that one right now). Whatever the circumstance, you cannot really put it in words.

Well, Paul kind of feels that way in today’s verse. As he is describing our Lord Jesus and how He came to earth (descended) and went back to heaven (ascended), he just finishes by saying “so that He might fill all things.” Jesus just completes everything. His glory fills the heavens. The angels, I am sure, rejoiced at His return. He is reunited with His Father in glory. Ellicott’s Commentary explains the phrase, “fill all things,” in this way. “But the words are too wide for any limitation. In heaven and earth, and the realms under the earth, His presence and sovereignty extends, by whatever means and over whatever beings He wills.”

APPLICATION

There’s an old Christian song entitled “Fill My Cup, Lord.” The chorus goes like this:

Fill my cup, Lord;
I lift it up Lord;
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul.
Bread of Heaven, feed me till I want no more.
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole.

When Jesus fills us, we should “want no more,” amen? We are told we are filled with the Spirit when we come to Christ. Jesus fills us completely, not halfway. Just as He fills all things, He fills all things in us. When I stop and get fuel for my truck, I am tempted sometimes to just get a little. But, of course, that means I will just have to stop again soon. So, what do I do? I fill it up. It lasts longer. Unlike my truck, though, the Holy Spirit fills us completely and permanently. I wish my truck could be filled permanently.

So, why do so many Christians have to keep “going back to their spiritual filling station”? May I suggest something? It’s not about getting more of the Spirit. It’s more about shedding more of their flesh. Our flesh keeps us from enjoying the fulness of Christ in our lives. Our flesh clogs our fuel lines and makes us start sputtering. Is your life sputtering right now? Check your fuel line. Check your faith. Come before the Lord and pour out your heart to Him today.

Thank You, Lord, for filling my heart with Your Spirit. Help me open myself up completely to You.