Posted on 12/26/2023 5:01:09 AM PST by metmom
"We . . . see Him who has been made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone" (Heb. 2:9).
Jesus Christ was born to die as our substitute.
At this time of year, it is difficult for us to see Jesus other than as a little baby. We of course know why He came, but we usually focus on His death on the cross at another time of year. But we must never forget that He came to die.
Those soft baby hands fashioned by the Holy Spirit in Mary's womb were made to have two great nails hammered through them. Those little chubby feet were to walk up a hill and be nailed to a cross. That sacred head was made to wear a crown of thorns. His tender body wrapped in swaddling clothes would be pierced by a spear to reveal a broken heart. The death of Christ was no accident; He was born to die.
Jesus died to remove the curse so we could regain our dominion. But to do that, He had to come as a man. Even though in doing so He temporarily became lower than the angels, He accomplished something no angel could: our restoration.
The first and foremost reason for the incarnation is that Christ might taste death on behalf of every man and woman. He came to die in our place—to be our substitute. God had two options: Either let us die and pay for our own sins, or allow a substitute to take our punishment and die in our place. He mercifully chose the latter.
It is vital that we affirm the fact of Christ's substitutionary death because modern liberal theology claims Jesus died merely as an example, like a martyr dying for some cause. But He died as a substitute for you and me. As a result He freed us to live for and with God. Rejoice that the creator of angels, the Lord of hosts, would become lower than His creation for our sakes.
Suggestion for Prayer
Thank the Lord for His willingness to humble Himself to become a man to save you.
For Further Study
Read Psalm 22 and note which verses prophesy Jesus' suffering on the cross.
From Drawing Near by John MacArthur Copyright © 1993. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.
Studying God’s Word ping
It’s truly amazing when you stop to really think about it.
We are so used to hearing about it, that we don’t really think deeply about it and the implications. It’s good to mull that over.
Thanks for that graphic.
We know the Truth that Jesus Christ is the focus and the Messiah. He’s not just a prophet or a teacher— He literally rules over EVERYTHING. We would explode into nothingness without Him.
Thanks For Reconciliation With God
I rejoice and thank You Father, that I have peace with You through our Lord Jesus Christ, and have wonderful access to Your amazing gift of grace, through simply believing on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank You, that although I was far away from You and wallowing in my sin and disobedience, I have been brought close to You Father, through the precious blood of my Jesus Christ my Saviour. It is a thing most wonderful to know that through the cross of Christ, the hostility that I had with You Lord, has been removed. I have been reconciled back to God, and have not only become a a citizen of heaven along with all who trust in Christ Jesus and have been made a member of God’s household, but also His beloved child and joint-heir with Christ Himself. There are no words sufficient for the thanks that I give You and pray that I may worship You for ever and ever.
I glorify Your wonderful name that there is now no condemnation, and that my reconciliation with God almighty is both permanent and eternal. For the wrath of God was poured out upon the innocent life of the Lord Jesus, Who took my place, so that I could be brought back into fellowship with You, and reconciled with God.
Praise Your wonderful name for ever and ever and ever,
Amen and Amen.
Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/prayer/thanks-for-reconciliation-with-god-515
Jesus came to destroy the Works of the devil who lied to Adam and Eve.
Our Savior and Lord humbled himself to redeem Us that We may Glorify GOD in Thanksgiving Forever!
Amen
Excellent article.
The Cross is pretty much ignored this time of year.
Yes, Jesus was born for one reason:
To die.
He took all of our sins, the sins of THE WORLD.
Cursed is anyone who dies on a cross.
Jesus willingly took the curse of sin and gave up His Life because He loved/loves us so much!
Thank you Father God and innocent sinless Jesus man/God for Your Sacrifice!
❗️✝️❗️
Birth to Cross!
So nice to see it pulled together so well.
Amen Brother ✝️!
Amen!
What Christ did on the Cross will be
Marveled at for All Eternity!
1 John 3:8
.
The more I really stop to consider the ramifications of this, the more awesome it becomes.
After all these years of walking with the Lord, it’s great when God can still give you fresh insight and revelation to what you believe.
Even when HE sets you down in the sand and says, "Time for you to make your OWN footprints."
Fresh Insight is the Wisdom of God revealed by the Holy Spirit through
The Son of the Holy One of Israel.
.
Personally I’ve been asking for Wisdom
of ‘The Big Picture’...
Why God Created the universe.
How man fits in to it.
How I can get ‘With the Program.’
.
Short answer so far;
.
Lucifer got Fired and God is filling
That Job with US as ‘Jesus Followers’
to reconcile the world and Isolate
those that oppose God’s Kingdom.
.
I’d love your comments or Warnings...
TODAY is the day of salvation...
Thanks...
Your Wise beyond years.
I don’t know...
...I gotta lotta years.
I got Six months for trying to
Outrun the Highway Patrol!
.
My Evil Knievel days.
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