Posted on 12/27/2023 6:25:00 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).
In serving as our substitute, Christ humbled Himself supremely.
Jesus' death on the cross was not easy or costless—it was a horrific death. It was not calm and peaceful; it was accompanied by outward torture and inward agony. The death He tasted was the curse of sin. In a few hours on that cross, He suffered the total agony of every soul for all eternity. He was guilty of no sin, yet He chose to suffer the weight of all sins committed for all time.
God sent His Son, and His Son willingly came to die to redeem mankind. Paul writes, "When the fulness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law" (Gal. 4:4-5).
Only by tasting death as a man could He free mankind from death. Historically, kings have had someone taste their food and drink before they consumed it. Christ drained to the dregs the cup of poison rightfully meant for us before it could ever touch our lips. He substituted His death for ours, releasing us from the deadness of sin to life with God.
What moved Jesus to suffer for us? Grace. What we did not deserve (salvation) we received, and what we did deserve (death) we did not receive. Unbounded love prompted Christ's gracious work on our behalf: "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 4:10).
After He accomplished the work of His substitutionary death, He was "crowned with glory and honor" and exalted to the right hand of the Father, where He will reign forever and ever. He is our great Substitute, whom we can thank and praise throughout all eternity.
Suggestion for Prayer
Ask God to give you opportunities to communicate the gospel to new people, even if you might suffer in the process.
For Further Study
Read Isaiah 52:13—53:12 to understand what the God of the universe had to endure at the hands of men.
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
I see that word “humiliation” used with this all the time, but I would argue that he was never humiliated. What God desires is all and everything, all else is unimportant. While you and I would feel humiliation, I am not sure Jesus felt that because he was fulfilling his role as desired by the Father. Pain, yes. Sorrow, yes. But humiliation, I’m not so sure.
The meaning of the word does not by default mean shame and embarrassment, although in our culture it does.
There had to be a better word to choose than this.
I believe the humiliation of Jesus refers to Him lowering Himself to our level from His heavenly throne at the right hand of God. More like He humbled Himself.
In a few hours on that cross, He suffered the total agony of every soul for all eternity. He was guilty of no sin, yet He chose to suffer the weight of all sins committed for all time.
......................................
Only Lord Jesus could do that. When I try to imagine myself in His sandals, my human mind can’t even comprehend this.
Loving Father, I come to Your heavenly throne-room, humbly kneeling before You in the knowledge that in and of myself I have no right to appear before Your glorious majesty, but thanks be to God that through the blood of Jesus Christ my Lord, I can confidently draw near to Your mighty throne of grace, so that I may receive grace to help in time of need and necessity.
Lord, thank You that through the wonder working power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, I can live and move and have my being in Him. I pray, that I would grow in grace and in a knowledge of the Lord Jesus. Lord, make me willing and obedient to live a life that is pleasing to You.
Help me to take every thought captive and to rest in Your unfailing love. Keep me I pray, from being squeezed into the world’s mould, but rather may I be transformed by the renewing of my mind in the likeness of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, in Whose name I pray,
Amen.
Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/prayer/prayer-to-present-my-life-as-a-living-sacrifice-1286
I am over awed at the thought that those few hours on the cross were enough to pay for the sins of all mankind.
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