God’s Remedy

Christ became what we are that he might make us what he is. 

-Athanasius of Alexandria

What was in the mind of God when he sent his Son to live with us?  Was it frustration over all of his failed attempts to get people to behave correctly?  Was it because the Law did not do what it was supposed to do?  Was the spoken Word so lacking that, in a last-ditch effort, God tried turning the spoken Word into the living Word?

We know, of course, that the Incarnation was not a last-ditch effort.  It was the plan from the beginning.  All of the prior judgments – of Noah’s contemporaries, of Sodom and Gomorrah, of degenerate Canaanite tribes – were foundational to this incarnation.

All of the prior promises – to Abraham and his descendants, to the newly freed Israelites at Sinai, to the prophets of restoration and hope – were wrapped up in this plan.  The righteousness of God first had to be established, then the depravity of man.

Then the plan would work.

The wisdom of God, the “logos” and logic of the universe, the Spirit of the Eternal could clothe himself in humanity and have it actually mean something.

What does it mean to you?  When you read your Bible, does it make a difference that the Word is not just telling you what to do, but offering to re-create the fundamental nature of your spirit?

When you worship God, is it better to do so with a transformed heart than with a slavish obedience to an unknown deity?  Does it matter to you that instead of simply being religious as best you can, you relate to a Person – a Person who lived in the same kind of body you have and yet is still powerful and wise enough to be your God?  Are you glad your faith is this…well, personal?

Some people are not.  They would prefer a distant God who will leave them alone until requested to show up.  The God who became flesh has so much better in store for us.  Yes, sometimes it feels a little too personal – there’s sin and obedience to deal with.  But ultimately, we appreciate it.  We are flesh and we need to relate to flesh.  The Word knew that, so Jesus came to dwell.

The world has never been the same since he did, and neither are we.  Praise him!

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  –John 1:14

With much love and affection,

A long-time Oasis member