Jesus, God or Man?

He was despised, and rejected, a man of sorrows, familiar with suffering. He was hated and the world didn’t care.

Why? What had He done for people to turn against Him as they did? Surely this man was the Son of God? He was greater than rejection and could well overcome sorrow and suffering. He, alongside His Father, created all things. He was the craftsman at the Father’s side when the foundations of the earth were laid (Proverbs 8:30). Surely, with all the resources of heaven, He could rise above and overcome all opposition?

Yes. He could. But He didn’t.  He laid aside His majesty, gave up everything for us, suffered at the hands of those He had created.  He became one of us. He left His glory behind and came to earth. He was a man, human and vulnerable in every way, as we are. As a man, He did what He did. As a man, He said what He said. As a man He suffered intense pain, physical and emotional, and as a man, He died.

He was scorned and abused because He was different. He was like us in appearance, but different in attitude and behaviour. He lived by God’s laws, not man-made laws. He spoke words of wisdom and insight beyond human comprehension. He made rulers and priests feel uncomfortable, exposing some as double-minded charlatans. He showed His hand before the game was over, revealing human vulnerability.

Why did He submit to so much opposition and hatred? He brought light into darkness. He demolished lies by the truth and proclaimed a better way to live. It was God’s way, the way of holiness and righteousness, the way to God.

Could He have just turned around and gone home again to heaven? No. He was on a mission, sent by God to redeem the world. And He had to do it as one of us. He took upon Himself the identity of us all, a representative of mankind, to do away with sin which had plagued the world since Adam.

‘All we like sheep have gone astray, each of turned to his own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all’ (Isaiah 53:6).

The wages of sin is death, and that price has to be paid. He took our guilt and pain to Calvary and died with it, so that everyone who believes and receives may have everlasting life.

It’s all about love, the overwhelming love of God for His people, so that He could once more enjoy a close relationship with them. It’s the incomprehensible love of a Father who would rescue His children from eternal damnation, paid for by the pain and suffering of His Son. His eternal love saved us to enjoy eternal salvation through Jesus Christ. Mission completed, He returned home to glory and take His rightful place at the Father’s side.

Let’s consider the cost, the price paid to redeem us from Hell. Was it worth it? Are we worth it? God thought we were. And still does.