Tuesday, May 19, 2009
"Lord, I am awed by the work of Your hands, and the love of Your heart. You are the point of all of life; You take majestic pity on us; You are the Divine Care-giver of all that has been made, and we are honored that You would put on flesh for a little while, in order that we might bear Your image forever. We are immeasurably blessed! Amen"
THE QUESTIONS OF MEN AND GOD
At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. "If you are the Christ," they said, "tell us." Jesus answered, "If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God." They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He replied, "You are right in saying I am." They said "Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips." Luke 22:66-71
At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. "If you are the Christ," they said, "tell us." Jesus answered, "If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God." They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He replied, "You are right in saying I am." They said "Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips." Luke 22:66-71
Dear Reflectors with Questions:
How unnatural could it have felt for the Eternal God to wear the "clothing" of a man's skin, and to bear the full force of the curse, which He himself had decreed on men? Jesus knew exactly what was coming, because He had planned it before time, and He knew the end from the beginning.
The councils of men determine destinies; and all of them are self-serving. Only the Council of God has emptied itself in service to others, and it is the preeminently greater council. Men ask questions of status ("Who are you, Jesus?"), whereas the Son of God simply asks, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter answered it rightly, but then withdrew, when his faith became fear.
Jesus told the council the truth of who He is, and they, in a sense, "flipped Him the bird." It's shocking isn't it to think of it in that way? It should strike fear in us to realize what our rejection of Jesus means. Peter went out and wept bitterly. Our culture is less emotional about it--even casual; and we are more likely to keep filling our lives with distractions. We have become experts at watching our own feet.
Meanwhile, Jesus moved closer to being seated at the right hand of God. We now visualize Him getting there by way of the cross - a direction, and an event, of surprising mystery - where He revoked the curse for all who receive Him, by taking it upon himself. There is no love equal to His.
Lowell Martin
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