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. (Join me for the rest of this post on Sunday, December 11th, at Woman to Woman Ministries where each Sunday I share a bit of Sunday Soul Food!)
still following,
Also happily linking up with the lovely
Eliazbeth, I have been thinking, and brought low, as I read this Advent season. The One who was present when all was created, Who spoke and it was done, Who knew me before the creation, and He came that night to a manger. For me. Grateful to read your words this morning. Beautiful! May you and yours have a blessed Christmas!
ReplyDeleteGod bless you so much as you are drawn closer to our Humble King, Joanne. You bless and encourage me more than you know.
DeleteIt's so amazing to see how God's hand worked to bring us the sacrifice of our Lord and then up to our redemption for this current moment. God is awesome!
ReplyDeleteHe is, indeed, AWESOME!
DeleteFrom Creation through the Old Testament and onto John the Baptist; all the announcements of His Advent. No wonder we celebrate. Your photo of the advent (coming) of the flower from the beautiful bud is fitting.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Gayle!
DeleteEven as he carries the weight of all our sin to redeem us, my mind's eye sees a beautiful image of such a gentle soul/spirit to care that much for we lowly humans. He could have walked away from the plan set in motion at any time, even after the fact and at any moment, he could have made Jesus just another little human being, but God cared enough for us to follow through to the end so that we would have a beginning. As we remember the birth, we celebrate, we rejoice the gift of him.
ReplyDeleteYour words are always food for thought, Elizabeth. Enjoyed reading. :)
I am so glad we became "friends"! God bless you and draw you nearer to His great heart this Christmas.
Delete