Romans 1:2-3 The History

2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David....   ~ Romans 1:2-3

Here we see the history of the gospel. The plan before Jesus ever arrived. Now we knew of the trinity from evidences of a divine 3-in-1 existence before this point. But the prophets laid out the specifics. And then even more important to the culture, we see the lineage of Jesus to show His humanity. I just love that the Messiah was a descendant of a man whom God used in powerful ways who was also the youngest of his family and from the least of the tribes. He wasn't expected to do anything, but by God's power, David became a mighty warrior and king. That always gives me hope - He can use even me, and He can use you to do great things for His glory. 

I serve a wonderful God who has a plan. A plan for me. He doesn't just set us to "be" in the world and when we are done, we are done. He loves us so much that He provided a way back to Him way before Jesus was born. 

Jesus was always the plan and He still is today. What hope that brings to a world who so desperately needs Him!  

Lord, help me to show others the plan so they too can have the hope only You can give. So be it. 

Further Thoughts:

1. What Scriptures are the evidence for Jesus' existence from the beginning?

2. Search the prophets for the foretelling of Jesus' birth. 

3. Why does this being the plan all along bring hope?

4. Who do you need to tell today about the hope of Jesus Christ?

John 1:14 "Jesus, 100% Man"

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. ~John 1:14

God determined that someone needed to pay the final price for man’s sins, so He became that man. By sending His Son, He fulfilled the penal punishment and became the final sacrifice ever needed for our sins. He desired that no more blood be shed for sins, so He became just like us. Born as a baby, Christ learned to walk and talk and grew into a man like all men. He battled temptation as we all do. We see evidence of that when He went into the desert and Satan tempted Him with all the very same temptations he throws at us today. Christ walked as a man and endured the elements like we do. He needed food to live and suffered when His body was abused. He bled like we do and cried out to the Father for mercy in the same way we cry out in our own pain. And when His body could take no more, he died like all men die.

In every way, Jesus walked this earth as a man. Living, loving, laughing, eating, sleeping, suffering, and then dying. Yet…. He walked it as 100% God and did it perfectly. Christ, in His perfect humanity, showed us how to live our lives pleasing to the Father.

Further Thoughts:

1. Find examples from Scripture that demonstrated Christ’s humanity.
2. In the above examples, can we live in our humanity as He did, or does our lack of divinity make us weaker and less able? Explain.
3. Why does Christ’s humanity offer comfort to us today?

Father, thank You for humbling Yourself for my sake and demonstrating how to live. Continue to guide me on that path. Amen.

Hebrews 2:5-18. "Made Human to Save"

Read Hebrews 2:5-18.

"Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death -- that is, the devil -- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death." NIV

What a beautiful passage describing the power of Christ and His submission to a human life. He suffered so much for us so we would no longer live in fear. His authority is established by everything being put "under his feet." And then His humility comes through lowering Himself to the level of His Creation.

I find the passage "In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering." very interesting. By Christ lowering himself to our level, He not only became our high priest of atonement, but a brother to all mankind. We are children together. Very hard for my human mind to wrap itself around this thought. But I am so thankful and humbled that I am loved that much. I just pray that I can share a small portion of that love to those around me. What amazing grace.

And because Jesus could not sin, his connection to our humanity is that He suffered in temptation just like we do. We are not alone; He truly knows our struggles and provides a way out.

Further Thoughts:

1. Does the fact that Christ became like us humble you or make you arrogant?
2. Based on Christ's actions and our place in eternity, how should we relate to those around us who have not accepted the Truth?
3. We are all still messed up beings. So what has changed?