Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - WHY?

                                                                                                            

                 

                                          WHY?

At this time of year, when we recognize the coming to earth of God in the form of man, we should consider why such an event would have come to pass. After all, the most powerful entity in the universe humbled Himself in a way that He could have avoided. A being that can create the universe with a word certainly could do whatever He wished or needed by merely a similar gesture. But He did come to earth, being physically born in the usual way, growing up as a boy, developing a ministry, and eventually suffering an excruciating death on the cross. Was all this really necessary?

The book of Hebrews gives us four reasons why God became a man and ventured to earth to live for a time as a human.

According to the Bible, man was created in the image of God with a mandate to rule over the earth. 

…God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it; 

have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, 

and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

(Genesis 1:28)

Man, however, apparently did not recognize the position he was given and succumbing to temptation, fell from this place and lost the power it represented along with the prestige it gave. As a result, mankind began to consider its position no more than that of any other animal. But the Bible says:

“What is man that You are mindful of him,

Or the son of man that you take care of him?

You have made him a little lower that the angels;

You have crowned him with glory and honour,

And set him over the works of Your hands.

You have put all things in subjection under his feet…” 

(Hebrews 2:6-8)

In order for man to regain what he had lost, God became man to help achieve that purpose.

God also became man to help regain the unity we once had with God. Hebrews goes on to state that:

…it was fitting for Him, for whom…and by whom are all things, 

in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, 

for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren. 

(Hebrews 2:10-11)

Because we relinquished our initial status in God’s plan and as a result lost the unity we once had with God, we became subject to other forces and lost the initial freedom we had at the time of creation. So God came to earth to help us regain that freedom.

…He Himself likewise shared in the same, 

that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, 

that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death 

were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 

(Hebrews 2:14,15)

Thus God became man to relate to us and so that we could relate properly to Him. As a result we have been able to regain that relationship we once had in addition to the unity we previously lost.

For indeed He does not give aid to angels, 

but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 

Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, 

that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, 

to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 

For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, 

He is able to aid those who are tempted. 

(Hebrews 2:16-18)

In addition to the trees, tinsel, presents, and feasting that take place this time of year, realization of and consideration for the reasons Christ came to earth should, in reality…

…give us plenty to ponder and think about.

Adapted from the Study Guide on Hebrews Chapter 2 by Dr  David Jeremiah