Orange Moon Cafe “Creator… Servant"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe… 

          "Creator… Servant"

    In respect for His earthly father and mother, the Lord Jesus Christ delayed the beginning of His ministry for many years.

   "And when they saw Him, they were amazed: and His mother said unto Him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us?  Behold, Thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.  And He said unto them, How is it that ye sought Me?   Wist ye not that I must be about My Father's business? And they understood not the saying which He spake unto them. And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them" (Luke 2:48-51).

   Also, in respect for His earthly mother, the Lord Jesus began His ministry.

   "And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto Him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee?  Mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And He saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, and saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth His glory" (John 2:3-11).

   Let us state the nature of such humility in the most direct and stark terms possible: Joseph and Mary's Creator and Savior yielded to their authority regarding the very purpose for which He came.  "The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and give His life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28).  Of course, in so doing, the Lord Jesus acted in respect for His Heavenly Father and His Word.  "Honor thy father and thy mother" (Exodus 20:12).  Had He failed to do so, He could not have died for the sins of humanity because He would have had His own sin for which to die.  "The soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezekiel 18:20).  Our Savior knew that God directed Him in accordance with delegated human authorities.  Thus, while His reaction in both instances referenced above indicates initial hesitation to his earthly parents' wishes, the Lord Jesus quickly realized His Father's guidance regarding both the delay and the outset of His ministry.

   This is written primarily as an appreciation for our wondrous Lord.  Our Maker became our servant in order to redeem us from our sins.  A human race spiritually damaged and distorted by rank pride saw its God born in a manger, immersed in sinners' baptismal waters, mocked by religious leaders, adorned with servant's garb as He washed His disciples' feet, beaten by soldiers, nailed to a cross, and laid in a tomb.  In context of our current consideration, we saw Him obey Divine authority by obeying human authority.  Words fail in the blinding and beautiful light of such grace.  We therefore close in wonder, and the realization that the Christ of humility now dwells within our spirits to lead us along our own paths of devotion to God and humanity…

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.  And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:5-11).

"Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake."

(I Peter 2:13)

Weekly Memory Verse

      We give thanks unto God and our Father, praying always for you.

 (Colossians 1:3)

  

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