Why Jesus Is Everything
The consequences of the Incarnation
The blood of Jesus Christ
cleanses us from all sin. (1 Jn 1:7)
Every recorded part of Jesus' life has a redemptive meaning. His birth childhood,
ministry, resurrection, ascension, return. Every recorded second of it.
Sure the cross is central -it always will be but it is the central part
of a redeeming life and every aspect of Jesus life has some significance
- some great significance for us. In this article I will cover some of the
redemptive issues stemming from His birth when He accepted humanity, mortality,
weakness and poverty.
Born Under The Law
Galatians 4:4,5 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Jesus' birth, of a woman, under the law enabled Him to change our status from slaves to a law code to joy filled sons and daughters of the living God. To accomplish this He had to take on humanities burden of living under the law - He accomplished this by being born of a woman in Israel at a time of deep legalism and hardened Pharisaism. Yet He lived without fault.
Took on mortality that we might receive immortality.
Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
1 Cor 15:45-58 And so it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed; in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Jesus, at His birth took on full human nature and a body that was capable of dying - and which did die on the cross. Jesus, though God, was mortal. His death on the cross was no pretense. It was a time of physical agony and spiritual dereliction. He drained the dregs for us. In doing so He took the sting out of death. Because He, a human being, with a fully human and mortal nature, rose from the dead, one day we shall also rise from the dead when He returns.
Jesus became poor that we might become rich
(Philippians 2:5-11 NRSV) Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, {6} who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, {7} but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, {8} he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-- even death on a cross. {9} Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, {10} so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, {11} and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
(2 Corinthians 8:9 NRSV) For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.
Jesus though endowed with all the riches of glory and all the splendor of heaven became poor that we might know the true riches of His love and the grace of God. These verses may refer to material riches in some way but that is not their main intent. Rather it is a demonstration that God is a God of self-giving , a God who generously pours Himself out.
Jesus became weak that we might become strong
(2 Corinthians 13:4 NRSV) For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.
(Hebrews 4:15-16 NRSV) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. {16} Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
When Jesus took on human nature He also took on human weakness, the capacity to sin, the smallness of a child, the ability to be crushed and vulnerable. He became just one individual up against an unjust system that eventually crucified Him. He was not a stainless steel robot or a Terminator. He was no Rambo. he was fully human, wept, got tired and eventually was overcome by powerful forces and put to death. Yet in God's plan this very weakness proved to be a great strength. He now is in the heavenly realms interceding for us, understanding us, empowering us. For He is our Savior.
An exercise - think through all the things that Jesus has taken on Himself that you might be blessed in some way.
This article may be freely reproduced for non-profit ministry purposes but may not be sold in any way. For permission to use articles in your ministry, e-mail the editor, John Edmiston at johned@aibi.ph.