WHY SIN IS UNREASONABLE

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" (Romans 6:1-2)

Devotion 16 of 23

HE HUMBLED HIMSELF

In order for Jesus to bear our sins, He was required to humble Himself. Scripture informs us a body was especially prepared for Him, through which redemption would be wrought. "Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: "Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, 'Behold, I have come; In the volume of the book it is written of Me; To do Your will, O God'" (Heb 10:5-7, NKJV).

The multitudinous sacrifices offered under the Law, though commanded by God, never brought satisfaction to Him. The reason--"it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins" (Heb 10:4). Those sacrifices were preparatory, acquainting the people with the necessity of a substitutionary sacrifice. But when the time came for the effective sacrifice to be offered, a body was prepared for the Word, in which atonement would be effected.

The ramifications of this humbling are most challenging. "And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Phil 2:8). This humbling involved placing the prerogatives of Deity in escrow, so to speak.

The second chapter of Philippians provides a remarkable elaboration of the humbling of Jesus. It was voluntary as well as mandatory. "Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men" (Phil 2:6-7, NASB). The phrase, "a thing to be grasped," is significant. The KJV renders this expression, "thought it not robbery." This phrase reveals what was involved in jesus humbling Himself. It means Jesus did not view equality with God has something to be held on to. He was willing let it go in deference to redeeming fallen man. Further, the relinquishing of these Divine prerogatives was not viewed by Him as "robbery"--i.e., something wrested from Him. He "humbled Himself," willingly entering this world in a specially prepared body. We will never know this side of glory (and maybe not on the other side) what it cost Jesus to become a Servant.

He entered the world as a "babe," without omniscience, omnipotence, or omnipresence. He placed Himself in a position where He could grow "in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man" (Lk 2:52), and where the "grace of God" was upon Him (Luke 2:40)--a most remarkable circumstance!

In addition to all of this, He submitted to death, "even the death of the cross," or death resulting from a curse (Gal 3:13). Our awareness of this makes sin totally unreasonable! In order for a person to become involved in sin, these things must be pushed out of the mind.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in Jesus' name, I thank You for so great salvation! When I see what it cost my Savior, what is required of me seems small.

-- TOMORROW: HE SUFFERED, BEING TEMPTED --