When man
walked on the moon, the world was amazed for a while. When God walked on the
earth, the world was amazed for a lifetime. Centuries on and the man Jesus
Christ remains the most iconic, most influential and most intriguing character in
all of history. The God-man’s terrestrial assignment, in his own admission, involved
bridging the gap between man and eternity. Christ came on earth and began a
restoration process that seemed impossible since Genesis 3. The infinitely high
and impossibly unattainable laws granted through Moses were all conquered by him. Not
only were they overcome but also they were given new height. Lustful looks now equalled
adultery. Anger resembled murder and the holiness of God never seemed
further. Who then can could be saved?
None.
But one.
A perfect
man- sinless, blameless and without a shadow of error defied sin. In bold
humility, the God-man, Jesus Christ, did not consider equality with God but rather humbled
himself under the hands of man. He was flogged severely. The Roman leather
whips split his skin and ruptured the veins that carried the blood of our
salvation. The hooked ends razed through his flesh and tore open the body he so
willingly gave to be in our place. The mocking crown of thorns was inflicted on
his skull and they made him carry his cross.
He was subjected to the most excruciating execution models, the cross. The thick iron nails bored the hands that healed the sick and cracked
the feet that brought good news to the hopeless. And surely if men acted as
evil when the tree was green, whatever will they do when the tree runs dry? And
the God-man was lifted on a shameful Roman Cross on the hill called Skull. Naked
he hung in full view of his own mother. The sun turned away from the disgrace
done to its maker. The earth shook in overwhelming tragedy. The mockery to come
down from the cross and save himself was cast his way. And in the greatest acts
of all his miracles, despite his power to summon legions of angels, he stayed
on that tree. He forewent his power.
Though he
was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, so that we through his poverty might
be made rich. Though many thought that the life sipped away from his body, few
realized that at the final cry he laid down his life by surrendering his
Spirit. For no man can take his life; he lays it down willingly. The clutches
of death snapped on the God-man and he tasted the bitter kiss of mother necro.
The wrath of God was satisfied for it pleased the Father to crush him. Death’s
venom did not poison his lifeline for long. And as it was foretold through the prophets, that the Christ must suffer many things and be resurrected, the God-man, Jesus Christ, with renewed invigoration,
dominion, authority and supremacy, rose to life. All power in
the cosmic heavens and on earth granted to him- all under his feet- so that in
everything he may have pre-eminence. He descended into hell to preach to the
spirits of his power over all of life, in heaven, on earth and under the earth.
When Hades received his herald, he ascended with a host of captives on high and
gave gifts to men. His power is un-dimming, unfading, unchanging, unending
and has the ability to give eternal life to the unregenerate man mortified in his sin-that
whoever believes in him may not perish but have everlasting life. Examine the
cross, Beloved. May it result in a life cross examination.
