“God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning – the sixth day. Thus, the heavens and the earth were completed in their vast array.” Genesis 1:31 – 2:1
The world is complete, it has been made in perfect harmony. The heavens, the earth, the sea and the winds have all been established. There is day and night. There are animals, fish and birds. And then there is man and his partner.
It only took one conversation to fill this once unspoiled world with selfishness, pride, jealousy, gluttony and more. The opportunity for humanity to live that holy, perfect life with God has now been postponed.
“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers, he will crush your head and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15
It took six days to make the flawless universe God wanted to share with man and a two-minute conversation for humanity to destroy the relationship He desired. Yet, God had a plan for this delay of our holy relationship with Him before Adam and Eve had time to swallow their fruit.
“We all like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted and yet he did not open his mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” Isaiah 53:6-7
God had a plan. It’s not like a plan any of us would come up with for sure. From our human perspective it doesn’t make sense. King David made sense. A warrior that would take over the world and make the children of Israel the chosen rulers made sense. God sending His son from the glory of heaven to be born a humble baby in a stable doesn’t make sense to us.
A man with no earthly credentials, walking around with his buddies, talking in riddles was not what the Jewish nation was looking for.
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set the example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent it. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” John 13:14-17
Jesus came with the heart of a servant and a humility that we are constantly striving for. No, He wasn’t who the world thought He would be. He was exactly what we needed.
Humanity is righteous knowledge. Holy is humble wisdom.
He walked the walk of a servant. He was humble and He was wise. He knows us, He understands us and He still went to the cross for us. He is the only perfect form of humanity to ever live.
Today we commemorate the humanity, humility and holiness He took to that cross. We celebrate an all-consuming love that hammered nails into the feet and hands of a severely beaten, humble Jesus. This one act shows a love and grace that we, in our humanity cannot fathom. This one act can only come from our Holy God.
The Pharisees didn’t put Jesus on that cross.
The Jewish people didn’t put Jesus on that cross.
Pilate didn’t put Jesus on that cross.
You and I didn’t put Jesus on that cross.
Our God, who knew the minute humanity fell He would need to save us, put Jesus on that cross. His plan was to send His most precious and perfect son to be humiliated, despised and sacrificed in the most painful way possible. That my friends, is love.