Unfathomable Grace

This week, we have learned much as to why Jesus did not come. Five lessons have been presented thus far.

Jesus did not come to counter-balance the Father as stated in John 8:42, “Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me.'”

Jesus did not come to bless the Jews alone. John wrote in his epistle, “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2)

Jesus did not come to lessen the ethical requirements of the Father. Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.  I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.  Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:17-20)

Jesus did not come to provide immediate peace and prosperity. Again, Matthew records Jesus’ teaching, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.  For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law — a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.” (Matthew 10:34-36)

Then, yesterday we were reminded by John that Jesus did not come to judge and condemn. Jesus said, “As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.” (John 12:47)

And now for the sixth reason why Jesus did not come. Jesus did not come to be served. He should have been served. He deserved to be served. Those who served him not were living in sin and their souls were in eternal danger. After all, he was the Creator, and all men were his creations. He was the King, and all men were his citizens. He was the Master, and all men were his servants. He was the Owner, and all men were his slaves. But Jesus came not the first time to receive that service which was rightfully his. No, according to Mark:

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)

Or, according to the insight of the Apostle Paul, Jesus did nothing from selfish ambition or conceit. He counted others more significant than himself. Because he looked to the interests of others, he emptied himself. And though being God, he took the form of a servant. He even took on the role of a human sacrifice. (Philippians 2)

Therefore friends, let us acknowledge our sin in giving Jesus that which is rightfully his. Every knee should bow and every response should be “Yes Sir.” He is the sovereign and we are to perfectly and entirely serve him.

But then let us be thankful that Jesus came not to be served. Had he come to be served, he would have found us rebellious, and justly we would have remained in our eternally condemned condition. So let us see his stoop of humiliation as a glorious truth. For had he not stooped, we would be crushed. Friends, no greater love has ever been shown. No greater friend could ever be had. No greater Master and Owner have ever been known. Mercy and grace was shown to rebellious men who forgot their place in this world.

Then, let us continue to praise. For though Jesus Christ is highly exalted at the present time, and though Jesus Christ is coming again in exaltation and majesty, the King of kings, Lord of lords, Creator,  Master and Owner continues to serve his children today. What a leader! What an authority figure! What a man! What a God!

Finally, let us be likeminded as we serve our Savior and Lord. As we serve our Christ, let us look more like our Christ. Let us bow the knee and wash the feet of our brothers. As a matter of fact, let us even wash the feet of our enemies. (i.e.. Judas)  Let us forgo our rights and consider others better than ourselves. Let us learn to be the “least” and the “last.” Let us be humble as was Christ, that we might serve him well who came not to be served — at least the first time.