The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"The Mystery"
The Apostle Paul, blessed with "abundance of revelations" so wondrous that he was given a "thorn in the flesh" to guard him from pride, nevertheless acknowledged the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ as inarguably mysterious (II Corinthians 12:7).
"Without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness. God was manifest in the flesh" (I Timothy 3:16).
Solomon had wondered long before the advent of the Lord Jesus about a lesser enigma.
"But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven and Heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee. How much less this house that I have builded?" (I Kings 8:27).
From the "Heaven of heavens," to an earthly temple, to God in man and God as a man, wonder abides regarding how an infinite Being can involve Himself in a temporal creation to the degree He dwells therein. No complete answer will ever be forthcoming - "great is the mystery." This most aptly applies to the Lord Jesus, the most fascinating subject to which human hearts and minds can apply themselves. Indeed, to whatever degree our Savior thrills us now upon contemplation, He will fascinate us far more in eternity to come as we apply our glorified sensibilities to the truth that Christ is the God who became man, and the man who remains God. In Heaven and earth there is no one like Him, nor shall there ever be. He occupies a distinct existence as the perfect amalgam of divinity and humanity, so gloriously God that the Apostle John fell at His feet as dead when seeing Him in Heavenly glory, and so humbly human that John could lay his head on the Lord's chest while with Him during His earthly lifetime (Revelation 1:17; John 13:25).
An open Bible glimmers with countless wonders to behold, to ponder, and to contemplate. All shine brightly, so much so that many may remain mysterious for a lifetime. None, however, more still our minds than the conundrum of the God who became man, and the man who remains God. How can such a one even exist? How do eternity and time, the infinite and the limited, the Creator and His creation somehow find synthesis in one Being who had no beginning as the God "from everlasting," but who did become something He had not been in the virgin womb of a human woman? (Psalm 90:2; Luke 1:35). Look for no final answers - "great is the mystery." But do look for some answers - "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ" (II Peter 3:18). Our hearts were made for His presence, and our minds were made to know and understand Him as well as possible. Yes, in Heaven and earth there is no one like the Lord Jesus Christ. May the same be said of the place He occupies in our love, appreciation, and yes, our wonder both now and forevermore.
"The Word was made flesh."
(John 1:14)
"And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He saith, I came down from Heaven?"
(John 6:42)
"This is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent."
(John 17:3)
Weekly Memory Verse
Oh how great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee; which Thou hast wrought for them that trust in Thee before the sons of men!
(Psalm 31:19)
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