15 – Christ’s Humiliation
Philippians 2:5-11 shows us the humbling and exalting of
Jesus.
No one ever stooped so low, because He came from such a
height.
The Incarnation wasn’t automatically a humiliation, as if
flesh is inferior stuff to get away from.
But being incarnate into His circumstances certainly was a humiliation.
His parents gave the sacrifice of the poor for Him. He was taught. He bore slander silently. He submitted to wicked powers. He had to wait years to minister to others,
though he was wise at 12 in the temple.
He had to listen to others when He knew more than them. His family thought He was crazy. Judas betrayed Him. Peter denied Him. They attributed His miracles to Satan. His trial was unjust. His crucifixion was physically humiliating
and painful. He was scorned and rejected
as prophet, priest and king. He
experienced death as His spirit parted from His body.
How can we complain of being humiliated when Christ bore so
much more, for us?
“Our glory is our humiliation.”
16 – Christ’s Transfiguration
Jesus will return glorious, no longer marred and humbled,
but with power like glimpsed at His transfiguration.
It happens after 6 days (Mark 9:2), so on the 7th,
a Sabbath hint. Sunday is now our day of
gladness and light.
The contrast with the crucifixion is striking. He spoke of
it as He came down the mountain.
God answered Moses’ prayer to “Show me Your glory,” at the transfiguration.
God declares Jesus His Son, and commands us to listen to
Him.
We need to listen to Him in the Scriptures, reading which,
Peter says is better than seeing Jesus transfigured (2 Peter 1:16-21).
We too will be transfigured – glorified – in our bodies at
the resurrection.
17 – Christ’s miracles
His miracles:
·
verified His ministry as from God.
·
ushered in a new creation.
·
Each point to the cross, the source of healing,
blessing and restoration.
·
Were more than acts of compassion and charity.
·
Announced a new age, like the wine at Cana.
·
Show us what the new creation will be like –
disease healed, sight restored, hunger fed, demons thrown out, life after death
·
Of exorcism show His victory over Satan accomplished
·
Show God’s own desire to restore all things
Jesus is all along now miraculously giving life to the dead
in regenerating and converting them to faith in Him.
18 – Christ’s sayings
His seven sayings from the cross were:
1.
Father, forgive them. He sought their repentance as He prayed, and
it was granted at Pentecost when many did repent. He prayed for His enemies, as they killed
Him. Can we be so kind to our enemies?
2.
Today you will be with me in paradise. The first saying is answered,
immediately! God is willing to forgive
and save miserable and repulsive sinners.
3.
Behold your mother. Jesus fulfilled the law (5th
commandment) at His death. [He also
provides spiritually for her, putting her in His believing family of disciples
instead of His unbelieving biological family.]
4.
My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Only Jesus knows the depth of this cry. This was a new experience for Jesus, and His
descent into hell. He noticed God’s
withdrawal of favor and fellowship.
5.
I thirst.
Shows His physical suffering – dehydration – and also a picture of need
for God unmet (Isaiah 41:17).
6.
It is finished.
He fulfilled all righteousness.
The imputation was done, putting our sins on Him, and His righteousness
on us. The victory was won over Satan
and death.
7.
Into Your hands I commit My Spirit. The Father said “Very good” to His work. Christ’s death was voluntary.
These words comfort us, even as He said them in deep
distress.
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