Thursday, September 30, 2010

Come Ye Sinners, Part 5

"View Him prostrate in the garden;
On the ground your Maker lies.
On the bloody tree behold Him;
Sinner, will this not suffice?"

Ponder the universe. Think about the mountains, valleys, stars, planets, ants, lions, plants, colors, and so much more. Meditate on the power that is involved in creation. Behind all of this is the omnipotent, holy God.

Now imagine this perfect God - who is infinitely happy within Himself - coming down to earth as a man. Imagine this Man feeling utterly helpless. Imagine this God-Man lying down on the ground in prayer - symbolizing a feeling of weakness and almost despair.

Behold your God. This is Jesus.

But, it becomes more unbelievable. Imagine this same God-Man being taken away by soldiers, being mocked, being beaten and then being nailed to a cross. His bones are exposed for all to see. He is treated like a criminal. Imagine this God, who created air, needing air for survival. As a result, this God-Man is straining to take a breath on the cross.

Step back for a moment. Imagine what this Jesus was like without a human body. Philippians said He took on the form of a man when He came to this earth. Before that, He had no physical limits. Now, nails have a real hold on Him.

Behold your God. This is Jesus.

Jesus did this for a reason. It was all for God's glory according to Romans 3. It was so that God would be viewed as just and justifier for all who believe. It was also so that God could shower His grace and love towards people who don't deserve it. As a result, we have life. God gets the glory. We get the joy. While Jesus was hung by real nails in a real body, we also admit that it would have never happened had He, the Creator, not allowed it.

Jesus died so that you could have life. Jesus suffered so that you could be righteous. Jesus endured God's wrath in your place so that you could have God's face shine on you and give you peace.

Behold your God. This is Jesus.

"Sinner, will this not suffice?"

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