“For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” – John 6:38
Looking around at this world, I see and hear about lots of things that are very depressing. I hear about global warming and how our earth is suffering drastic changes due to man’s pollution of the atmosphere. I see hatred, anger, and intolerance between religions, races, nations, and government leaders. I have lived in cities where the crime rates have skyrocketed, and I have witnessed individuals living inside their cars or cardboard boxes. I see acres and acres of trees cut down, destroying natural habitats and environments to make way for urbanization. I’ve seen smog so think it was dangerous to go outside. I’ve heard people mock God and His Word in my country, and I’ve seen places of worship covered with vicious graffiti on their walls. I’ve seen believers attacked for their faith, and I’ve heard of horrible persecutions and murders of Christians in other lands.
This is the world that Jesus left heaven to come to. For all eternity past, He had dwelt in heaven, surrounded by angels who loved Him and worshipped Him with songs and praises continually. The entire place was filled with the glory of God. There was no hatred, no destruction of the environment, no war, no homeless people, no racism, no poverty. It was perfect… it is perfect still! It’s where God’s holiness can be found everywhere! This is what Jesus willingly left to come to earth to live as a man who did no wrong, be betrayed by a friend, mocked, ridiculed, and eventually executed on a rugged cross as a lowly criminal.
Jesus left the glory of heaven for one reason. He came to become our Saviour. 1 John 4:14 states, “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” Jesus was sent by His Father in heaven for a specific purpose, and He chose to obey the will of God. At any point in time, He could have said it was over… finished… not worth the effort. But He didn’t. He waited until God’s work truly was finished. He waited until He hung on the cross and took the weight of all the sins of the world upon Himself. And when He did, His beloved Father turned away, unable to look upon His Son, who bore the sins of all mankind. 1 Peter 2:24 states, “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” For the first time in all eternity, Jesus was separated from His Father. That is when the work was completed, and Jesus finally announced, “It is finished.” (John 19:30) Sin’s price had been paid by the Son of God, who shed His precious blood on Calvary, suffering and dying a heinous death to become our Redeemer.
The story didn’t end there though. 3 days after His death, Jesus rose from the grave! Through His resurrection, He proved He really was God’s Son who had the power to forgive sins and become the Saviour of the world. “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 5:30-31)
I am so glad Jesus chose to come to earth from heaven to be my Saviour. One day soon, I will see Him and be able to thank Him for saving my soul from death and hell, for in His coming to earth, He purchased my redemption and gave me eternal life. One sweet day, I will be with Him in His glorious heaven where He is preparing a place for me. Jesus said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:3)
Jesus will return again, and by the looks of things, it won’t be long. I can hardly wait to see Him!
Sing the wondrous love of Jesus
Sing his mercy and his grace
In the mansions bright and blessed
He’ll prepare for us a place
When we all get to heaven
What a day of rejoicing that will be
When we all see Jesus
We’ll sing and shout the victory
(from “When We All Get to Heaven” by Emily D. Wilson and E.E. Hewitt)
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
**********
No longer do I look for the signs of Jesus’ coming; now, I listen for the trumpet!!