When God entered time and became man, he who was boundless became bound. Imprisoned in the flesh.Restricted by weary-prone muscles and eyelids. For more than three decades, his once limitless reach would be limited to the stretch of an arm, his speed checked to the pace of human feet. Do you wonder, was he ever tempted to call it quits and reclaim his boundlessness?
In the middle of a long trip, did he ever consider transporting himself to the next city? When the rain chilled his bones, was he tempted to change the weather?
If ever he entertained such thoughts, he never gave them. Not once. Stop and think about this. Not once did Christ use his supernatural powers for personal comfort. With one word he could have transformed and changed this hard earth into a soft bed, but he didn't. With the wave of his hand, he could have boomeranged the spit of his accusers back into their own faces, but he didn't. With the arch of his brow he could have paralyzed the hand of the soldier as he braided the crown of thorns. But he didn't.He could have changed everything that needed to happen to bring about salvation to escape the punishment he knew he was going to receive, but he didn't. Because He loved us that much.
He was beaten and punished, but he didn't say a word. He was like a lamb being led to be killed. He was quite, as sheep is quite while the wool is being cut; he never opened his mouth. Men took him away roughly and unfairly. He was put to death; he was punished for the sins of his people. (Isaiah 53:7-8)
The message of God to man is, It is finished.
Stop and listen a moment. Let the words wind through your heart. Imagine the cry from the cross. The sky was dark. The other two victims are moaning, jeering mouths of the crowd are silent. There was thunder.There was weeping. Perhaps at times there was silence. Then Jesus draws in a deep breath, pushes his feet down on that Roman nail, and cries, "It is finished!"
What is finishes? The history-long plan of redeeming man was finished. The message of God to man was finished. The works done by Jesus as a man on earth were finished...The sting of death had been removed. it was over.
So the Word became human and lived here on earth among man (us). He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. (John 1:14)
You know that in the past you were living in a worthless way, a way passed down from the people who lived before you. But you were saved from that useless life. You were bought, not with something that ruins like gold or silver, but with the precious blood of Christ, who was chosen before the world was made, but he was shown to the world in these last times for your sake. (1Peter 1:18-20)
Jesus experienced the fruits of sin for our sake- fear,shame,disgrace,discouragement...
All of these and more so that you and I might be saved and live because of the resurrected Christ and so that we would have eternal life with Him. As long as we receive salvation.
Do you believe?
