You might find it surprising if I were to tell you that it is possible for God to have a new experience. At least, the Creator of the universe, the King of kings and Lord of lords, the Supreme Ruler, the “I AM,” the Bright and Morning Star, the Everlasting God once participated in an experience which He’d never before known…
when Christ,
the Son of God submitted to the will of His Father, allowed the most dramatic
limitation of His Person and power of all time, was in some inexplicable way
reduced to the microscopic size of a fertilized human egg, matured as a fetus
in a human womb, was born of a virgin named ‘Mary,’ suckled at his mother’s
breasts, and lived in obscurity for three decades; prior to His advent and
introduction to public ministry.
Jesus
Christ, who along with His Father and the Holy Spirit participated in the very
creation of the universe, voluntarily limited Himself, and embraced a new
experience unlike anything He’d ever known in the eons, and ultimately gave
Himself over to the sacrificial death of the cross.
The Eternal
God, Jesus Christ, the spirit being who, prior to His advent on the earth,
possessed the power to manifest Himself anywhere and everywhere, limited
Himself and dwelt among us, and experienced something unique to Himself;
becoming the God-man. As much God as man. As much man as God. And He has seen
fit to retain His earthly, nail-pierced body forevermore, (and despite His
power) has forevermore limited Himself to occupying one human-sized bit of
space at any given time.
I love the
passage of scripture which assures us of Christ’ humanness and empathy for His
creation.
“We have not a high priest who cannot be touched by the
feelings of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet
without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)
It was because He purposely limited
Himself and experienced something He’d never before taken the opportunity to
experience that He has the unique wherewithal to put Himself in our place, and
to say, “Stay encouraged. I’ve been there (and) I will give you rest.”
There is that old riddle which cannot
be answered except in both the positive and the negative. Yes and No.
“Can God make a rock so big that He
can’t lift?”
Neither answer is altogether correct.
Neither answer is altogether incorrect.
However, if you happen to be walking
along the street one day, and someone approaches you with the question, “Is it
possible for God to have a new experience?”
Tell them, “Yes. Yes, it is. The God I
serve purposely emptied Himself of all His prerogatives, limited Himself, took
on human flesh, dwelt among us, died in my place, and is alive forevermore.”
(and)
“Because He lives, I shall also live
with Him.”
by William McDonald, PhD. Copyright pending
If you would like to copy, share or save, please include the credit line, above
No comments:
Post a Comment