When the LORD made Adam, HE designed HIM as a social creature. “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him.” (Gen 2:18) So HE made Adam a wife by taking a rib from HIS side. Now of course in this we see the type or metaphor of the bride of CHRIST being created from her HUSBAND’s rib, “being bone of HIS bone, and flesh of HIS flesh,” which describes an indissoluble union.”
The SON being the express image of GOD and not thinking it robbery to be equal with GOD has never had a “need” for anything. HE is perfect in all of HIS ways, lacking nothing and needing no one. Yet it pleased HIM to bring forth a man made in HIS own image that HE might demonstrate the glory of HIS grace in manifesting the redemption of HIS people which according to HIS divine purpose were created and hidden in CHRIST from before the foundation of the world.
So, HE created men in a complete contrast to HIMSELF. HE, alone, is immortal, having no beginning and no end, (HE is the ALPHA and OMEGA) they are finite, having a beginning and surely an end, apart from HIS mercy. HE, alone, is complete in and of HIMSELF; they are in need of everything and cannot exist apart from HIS mercy and kindness. HE, alone, has life in HIMSELF, they perish apart from the gift of life from HIS hand. HE, alone, has need of none and is in no wise enhanced or benefited by HIS creation except as it pleases HIM; men seek the company and comfort of one another and their value stems from their benefit one to the other.
So, in order to manifest HIS love for HIS people, the only begotten SON of GOD took upon HIMSELF flesh and blood and became experimentally identified with those whom HE came to redeem. “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” (Heb 2:14)
There is no more marvelous mystery unfolded before our eyes than when the eternal GOD who dwells in the light to which no man can approach and cannot at all be seen by men, did take unto himself a body of flesh and blood and dwelt among men. Not only, did HE become flesh, but, HE learned obedience by the things which HE suffered and was tried in all points of the law even as HIS brethren. “Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.” (Heb 2:17-18)
So the humanity of CHRIST is no mere illusion or temporary condition, for HE is a “high priest forever after the order of Melchisedek” (Heb.6:20) HE has entered in once into the Holy place in the behalf of HIS brethren and has obtained eternal redemption for them.
HE presently and forevermore lives as an INTERCESSOR for those who come unto GOD by HIM. Because HE is pleased to identify HIMSELF with HIS brethren, HE has called them HIS people and they have been given the privilege of calling HIM their GOD. HE seeks no other people and they seek no other GOD. (see Luke 19:10; John 10:4,5; Ezek.37:27)
Everything that was needed to bring HIS people to this place of reconciliation, HE has provided. In the grand display of HIS glorious grace in the scheme of redemption HE did subject HIS creation unto vanity (see Rom. 8:20), that HE might reveal the hope of salvation to those HE is pleased to give faith to believe through the gospel. This gospel is indeed the “gospel of the glory of the blessed GOD”, (see I Tim 1:11) for it is a declaration of that salvation which JESUS CHRIST has both solely undertook and completely accomplished for those whom HE is pleased to call HIS brethren.
Though HE loved HIS people with a perfect love, even those who were closest to HIM did not stand by HIS side in HIS darkest hours. All of those who had recently expressed their undying love for HIM forsook HIM and fled. “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” (Isa 53:3)
Yet it was for them that HE “was there alone”, whether HE was praying for them on a mountain side, smitten with grief in the Garden of Gethsemane (while they slept) or traversing the cobblestone road that led to Calvary with the weight of the cross (and the sin of HIS own people) heavy upon HIS torn and bleeding back.. As HE poured out HIS soul unto death in the Garden and upon the cross on Golgotha’s brow none could stand with HIM and none did.
Truly, HE did bear the brunt of GOD’s wrath against sin, alone; even as HE says in Isaiah, “I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me.” (Isa 63:3) No one did cry out in HIS defense nor did any rush to HIS aid or even offer to wipe HIS bleeding brow. As a man with bleeding flesh to prove it HE said, “And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold.” (Isa 63:5)
Compounding the physical suffering which HE bore, without regret or complaint, (see Isa.53:7) HE also subjected HIMSELF to the mental and spiritual anguish of being totally forsaken, not only by those whose benefit HE sought, but by the very GOD and FATHER, who sent HIM, and was HIS daily delight to serve and please. Can any man fathom the depths of the woe which filled HIS mind and heart as HE cried, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”(Mar 15:34) Yet there HE was suspended upon that cross between heaven and earth forsaken by all; alone.
Is there any wonder that this shall be the song throughout the ages to come of those redeemed, “And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God” (Rev 19:1) “for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood.” (Rev 5:9)
Can we not lift our voices in protest when we hear men preach that the salvation of men is a cooperative effort between HIM who died and those who believe in order to gain it? Are we not offended by any message that does not give CHRIST all glory and honor for the complete and utter salvation of HIS own, without anything needing to be done on their part.? Did HE not accomplish all that was necessary for their redemption by HIMSELF alone? “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John10:27-28)
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