GOD'S NEW EXPERIENCE

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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.

And while God, the Father and God, the Holy Spirit continue to possess the three qualities of Omnipotence, Omniscience and Omnipresence when God, the Son took on flesh He surrendered the third quality. He can no longer be everywhere at one time since He lives in a body forevermore. If he appeared next to me, this is the only place He would be at that particular 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