God Longed to be a Man
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Hebrews 4:14-16
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
God became man. That thought humbles me beyond words. It also encourages me. Elsewhere in the Bible references are made to birth pains as God brings about His will upon the earth. I really can’t think of any other way to explain or describe how very much God loves us than these references.
God, in his formless, infinite, eternal state, loves mankind so very much that he longed to walk among us. He yearned for the touch of human beings. He desired to taste and smell and see from our perspective. He wanted to be one of the fearfully and wonderfully made creatures he had designed. Knowing of this deep and abiding desire, how can we ever say that God doesn’t understand what we’re going through? How could we ever doubt his love for us? How could we not believe that God works for our good?
Some argue the resurrection is not a proven fact. Others may say that Jesus was just another prophet—albeit a great, perhaps the greatest one of all. My contention is that if it were not true, how then can the lie have lived so long in the hearts and souls of believers? How could the Holy Spirit ignite such passion and unexplainable courage, fortitude, wisdom and strength in those who spread the Word?
Look up at the sky at night. Watch a sunrise. Sit on the sand at the ocean side. Give birth to a child. String together all the coincidences in your life. Take a deep breath in and then imagine the working of your lungs. Place your hand over your heart and wonder at who designed this body you occupy. Have you ever created something? A perfect meal, a company, a beautifully decorated room, a meticulously landscaped yard, a poem, any of these and more afford tremendous satisfaction and joy.
Now multiply that feeling by millions and let it grow over centuries. That’s how much God love us. That’s why He came to earth in the form of Christ. He wanted us to know that He “gets it.” He doesn’t see us as flawed—rather as perfect creations who need His love and promise of eternity to live as we desire and as He planned. In thirty short years Jesus told the creation story by his life. On the Cross he changed the ending!
God waits for us in heaven. He walked with us once. Now he waits for us to walk with Him in eternity.
My prayer today is that no matter what you’re going through, you remember that the God who lives in eternity also lives in every cell of our body. And that you are his beloved, perfect creation.
Mary
