23 November | EVERYONE
"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory." 1 Timothy 3: 16
I see Him kneeling on a dark night under an olive tree, sweating drops of love splattered with blood. I hear Him praying to His Father that, if possible, He will deliver Him from that terrible ordeal. I watch Him suffer with the indifference of the rebellious people for whom He is willing to die. I behold Him on the cross, begging forgiveness for the ungrateful race He loves, and I ask myself repeatedly: What mysterious love is this?
Great is the mystery of godliness! There is no human mind capable of understanding how an eternal God manifested Himself in the flesh. How the Owner and Lord of the vast universe was born in a humble manger. How the Creator of all springs, seas, and rivers stopped one day because He was tired at Jacob's well to ask a poor sinful woman to give Him something to drink. Great is the mystery of godliness!
How can we understand that the Lord of knowledge, the source of eternal wisdom became a child to be taught and guided by the Holy Spirit? What mind, no matter how creative, could have imagined a host of angels accompanying Jesus as He walked the dusty paths of this life, watching His steps and protecting His human frailty? And then, that God, made into flesh, died on a humiliating cross and on the third day was resurrected and received into heaven by millions and millions of angels who celebrated His return to the royal palace. Yes, undeniably, great is the mystery of godliness!
Centuries and ages will pass. Months and years will be extinguished. The songs of the birds will disappear. The mountains will flee. The seas and rivers will dry up. But God's love will endure. No human mind will ever be able to understand it!
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Paul's insistence on exalting Christ is meant to move us to reflect on His character. It is made clear in all that He did for us. Knowing Jesus is fundamental to resembling Him by the power of the Spirit.