Advent: the arrival of a notable person or event
Advent is the season leading up to Christmas. A time when Christians celebrate God coming to earth in human form (Jesus Christ) to save his people from their sins (1). An incredible act of love and humility (2).
The Humanity of Christ
Near the end of his earthly life, Jesus was hailed by people as a king as he entered Jerusalem. Yet as he approached the city, he wept (3).
Earlier, Jesus wept as he stood at the tomb of his friend Lazarus, who had recently died (4).
Jesus' weeping is a powerful example of his humanity. But the reasons why he wept may not be as apparent as you think.
For example, as he approached Jerusalem he wept not for himself even though he knew he would be tortured and crucified within the week.
As he stood by his friend's tomb, he wasn't weeping for Lazarus, for he knew that within minutes he would raise Lazarus from the dead! (5)
The Divinity of Christ
Jesus' tears reflect his humanity, but they also reflect his divinity. Throughout the Bible, God expresses grief over the condition of humanity. (6)
At the tomb, Jesus wept when he saw the people sobbing and grieving the death of Lazarus, and a deep anger welled up within him. (7) He wept because he was saddened by their pain and sorrow, but why was he angry? I believe he was angry at death and sin (8), which are the cause of suffering and grief. His response was to exercise his power over death by raising Lazarus.
Jesus also knew that many didn't understand, and some even rejected who he was and why he came. As Jesus approached Jerusalem weeping he said "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—". (9)
The Prince of Peace (10) was entering into their presence, but they knew it not despite his constant attempts throughout his life to explain it.
"—but now it is hidden from your eyes.", he continued, "The days will come upon you when your enemies will encircle you and...dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls...because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” (11)
Who Do You Say That I Am?
This is a question each of us must answer about Jesus Christ.
When Jesus asked his disciples that question, Peter correctly answered “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (12).
This advent, I urge you to reflect on the arrival of the 'Son of the living God', who came to rescue you from the power of sin and death. (13)
My prayer is that you will recognize the time of God's coming to you, before his weeping stops.
Footnotes
1. Matthew 1:21: She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.
2. Philippians 2:6-8: Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
3. Luke 19:41: As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it
4. John 11:35: Jesus wept.
5. John 11:43-44: Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
6. Genesis 6:5-6: Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. Genesis 6:5-6 NKJV
Hosea 11:7-8 My people are determined to turn from me. Even though they call me God Most High, I will by no means exalt them. But how can I give up on you, Ephraim? How can I turn you loose, Israel? How can I leave you to be ruined like Admah, devastated like luckless Zeboim? I can’t bear to even think such thoughts. My insides churn in protest.
7. John 11:33: When Jesus saw her sobbing and the Jews with her sobbing, a deep anger welled up within him. (The Message).
8. James 1:15: Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
9. Luke 19:42.
10. Isaiah 9:6.
11. Luke 19:42-44.
12. Matt 16:15-16
13. Rom 8:1-2: So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.
Advent is the season leading up to Christmas. A time when Christians celebrate God coming to earth in human form (Jesus Christ) to save his people from their sins (1). An incredible act of love and humility (2).
The Humanity of Christ
Near the end of his earthly life, Jesus was hailed by people as a king as he entered Jerusalem. Yet as he approached the city, he wept (3).
Earlier, Jesus wept as he stood at the tomb of his friend Lazarus, who had recently died (4).
Jesus' weeping is a powerful example of his humanity. But the reasons why he wept may not be as apparent as you think.
For example, as he approached Jerusalem he wept not for himself even though he knew he would be tortured and crucified within the week.
As he stood by his friend's tomb, he wasn't weeping for Lazarus, for he knew that within minutes he would raise Lazarus from the dead! (5)
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| 'And Jesus Wept' Statue at the national memorial for the bombing of a federal building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. |
Jesus' tears reflect his humanity, but they also reflect his divinity. Throughout the Bible, God expresses grief over the condition of humanity. (6)
At the tomb, Jesus wept when he saw the people sobbing and grieving the death of Lazarus, and a deep anger welled up within him. (7) He wept because he was saddened by their pain and sorrow, but why was he angry? I believe he was angry at death and sin (8), which are the cause of suffering and grief. His response was to exercise his power over death by raising Lazarus.
Jesus also knew that many didn't understand, and some even rejected who he was and why he came. As Jesus approached Jerusalem weeping he said "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—". (9)
The Prince of Peace (10) was entering into their presence, but they knew it not despite his constant attempts throughout his life to explain it.
"—but now it is hidden from your eyes.", he continued, "The days will come upon you when your enemies will encircle you and...dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls...because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” (11)
Who Do You Say That I Am?
This is a question each of us must answer about Jesus Christ.
When Jesus asked his disciples that question, Peter correctly answered “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (12).
This advent, I urge you to reflect on the arrival of the 'Son of the living God', who came to rescue you from the power of sin and death. (13)
My prayer is that you will recognize the time of God's coming to you, before his weeping stops.
Footnotes
1. Matthew 1:21: She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.
2. Philippians 2:6-8: Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
3. Luke 19:41: As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it
4. John 11:35: Jesus wept.
5. John 11:43-44: Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
6. Genesis 6:5-6: Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. Genesis 6:5-6 NKJV
Hosea 11:7-8 My people are determined to turn from me. Even though they call me God Most High, I will by no means exalt them. But how can I give up on you, Ephraim? How can I turn you loose, Israel? How can I leave you to be ruined like Admah, devastated like luckless Zeboim? I can’t bear to even think such thoughts. My insides churn in protest.
7. John 11:33: When Jesus saw her sobbing and the Jews with her sobbing, a deep anger welled up within him. (The Message).
8. James 1:15: Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
9. Luke 19:42.
10. Isaiah 9:6.
11. Luke 19:42-44.
12. Matt 16:15-16
13. Rom 8:1-2: So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.
Great thoughts, Dale!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rich!
DeleteSo glad your blogging and sharing! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you Ben. I enjoy it and wish I had more time to write!
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