How Far Did Jesus Descend?

Chuckle: From Missoula, Mont. My son, who is in nursery school, said, "Our Father who art in Heaven, how didja know my name?"

Quote: "The Cross is a picture of violence, yet the key to peace, a picture of suffering, yet the key to healing, a picture of death, yet the key to life." --David Watson

HOW FAR DID JESUS DESCEND?

    "Who, (Jesus) being in very nature God, did no consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death -- even death on the cross! "  (Philippians 2:6-8 NIV).

There is so much that we can't fully understand about Jesus' leaving His heavenly glory to secure our salvation here on earth. He descended from the highest level in heaven to the lowest level of earth when He became a man and lived among us. He also allowed Himself to be treated as even less than a man as He was tortured and killed as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.

Just imagine, God Himself, the King of the Universe, the Creator of all things, descended from the highest pinnacle of heaven to the lowest depths of sin and depravation on earth for you and me. It's difficult for us to comprehend the spiritual and physical agony our Lord endured on our behalf. Perhaps worst of all was that "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us" (1 Corinthians 5:21 NIV). He that knew no sin became sin and thereby was out of fellowship with His Father as He was rejected and died alone in agony and disgrace. We get a glimpse of the anguish Jesus suffered when as He cried out from the cross: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46 NIV).

I believe these words from King David reveal to us much about the inner thoughts Jesus must have had as He hung on the cross and endured the pain and ridicule of men while paying the terrible price for our redemption. "But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: "He trusts in the Lord; let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him" (Psalm 22:6-8 NIV).

It's impossible for us to fully comprehend how far Jesus descended to purchase your salvation and mine. But after contemplating the dimensions of God's love and the extent of His sacrifice for us, the question arises: How willing am I to show my gratitude and love by bringing Him glory and by giving of myself to further the growth of His kingdom in the hearts of people? "Amazing love how can it be that you my King would die for me?"

Love, Jerry & Dotse