Before the creation of all that we see, the Son of God was already a Man on a mission. He was already foreordained in the counsel of the Godhead as the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. That wee baby born over two thousand years ago in Bethlehem of Judah, that tiny infant who's first bed was a manger filled with straw, was destined for death. This was the destiny He set His face like flint to fulfill, to be the ultimate Kinsman Redeemer for mankind and all of creation.
In the Old Testament we see this theme laid out. When an Israelite was sold into bondage for debt beyond their ability to pay, when their land and property were taken from them, their closest relative could act as a kinsman redeemer and deliver them from slavery and restore their land to them. This is what our Elder Brother, Jesus Christ, born as one of us, came to do for us. He came to deliver us from our bondage to sin and to pay off the debt we could never ever hope to pay off on our own. At the end of the age, even this sin twisted earth will be fully redeemed and made new. That Old Testament shadow and type of the kinsman redeemer is perfectly fulfilled in reality by this wonderful Man on a mission, our Lord Jesus Christ.
What He had to go through to accomplish His grand purpose is beyond our finite human understanding. Leaving His rightful place in the perfection and eternal worship of heaven to become human flesh and blood and to live in this broken world, to become one of us in our weakness and frailty, seems like sacrifice enough. Yet, He lived His years on earth being misunderstood, mocked and rejected by the ones He created and loved beyond measure. Still His suffering wasn't complete. He was betrayed and beaten and falsely accused. He was abandoned by those He loved. He was beaten beyond human recognition and crucified in the most excruciating death imaginable. He endured it all with His eyes on the prize, the redemption of you and I. Hebrews 12:2 says it was the joy set before Him that helped Him to endure the cross. You and I are that prize. We are the joy that He held onto in His great heart while His body was beaten and crucified. And now, He looks at you and I, He remembers all of the travail He went though, and He says, "You were worth it. Every time they mocked Me and spit on Me. Every lash on My back. The nails in My hands and feet. The excruciating pain of hanging on that cross. The feeling of abandonment and utter aloneness. I'm so glad I did that for you. You were worth it all." Our Kinsman Redeemer, the Son of Man born on a mission to complete our redemption and deliverance, loves us beyond our comprehension. This Christmas, let's respond to Him with the love and honor He deserves. Come, let us adore Him, our Christ, our Lord, our Kinsman Redeemer.
still following,
It's amazing and humbling to know that He looks upon the cross and sees it as pure JOY, because of us. It's one of those things about Him that you know, but you can't really comprehend. Wonderful encouragement today, Elizabeth! Blessings on your Sabbath.
ReplyDeleteIt is beyond my comprehension that He loves me so!
DeleteWhile recovering from oral surgery this week I've been thinking on the truth that God, the Father, sent His only, much-loved son. I can't begin to imagine what that would be, especially with the plan that His Son would suffer and die for us. For me!! It makes this season have so much more meaning when we stop the focus on the amazing gift of the Father to us - and the gift of Jesus who was willing to follow His Father's plan.
ReplyDelete~Adrienne~
Much love to you and prayers for your full recovery and a blessed Christmas time!
DeleteThe amazing part of what Christ did was that he died the second death--the penalty death for us. We will all experience the the first death, the consequence death, saint and sinner alike. But Jesus took our place by choosing to die the second death of seperation from God and giving up his divinity so that we would never have to experience that ourselves. That's good news!
ReplyDelete