Jesus, Man to die.

Part One

Elohiym, El Shaddai, Adonai, Logos, majesty, honour, splendour, radiant, sovereign and righteous and holy and glorious the Alpha the Omega, is. Of His brightness there is no description His beauty no comparison. His compassion unending His mercy forever and His forgiveness fast and sure. He has always been and will always be. He is eternal. His provision of all never ceases His love reaches to all every where.

Now the Birth of Jesus was this way. In the beginning, before the world came into being, before creation, the Word - Jesus, second part if you will, of the Godhead - was with God and in fact is God. The Word – Logos - is Elohiym, Elohiym is Logos, Christos -Holy Spirit - is Elohyim is Logos is Christos. Before the creation of the world, God being God and being omniscient, having the foreknowledge of what was to be. God was aware of exactly what man, a created being with a free will, would do. Satan had already promoted himself to be above God. God was also aware that Satan would deceive Eve and that a way would be necessary to atone for sin. God knew that Sin was opposite and separate from Himself. God knew that man, deceived by Satan would attempt to be independent of God. God created man to be dependant upon Himself but knew at the same time that man would want his independence to do his own thing. God also knew that man, if there was to be any enduring relationship with his Creator, would need a way to appease or make atonement for his independence of God. Having this knowledge, God also knew that since man couldn’t make atonement for his own independence, the only reasonable payment of which was death, would require payment to be made. If man was to continue then some thing or some one would need to make that payment on mans behalf or in mans place. It would seem reasonable for God to provide that appeasement for man. After all God was/is the only one who is able to lay down His own life and take it up again. God alone has the power of life and death.

So, at the appointed time in the Eternal Plan of the Ages, God did create man according to the way He wanted man to be. After Elohiym’s image was man created, in the express image, exact likeness created He man. To act and do and be all that Elohiym purposed. He designated man a purpose and occupation. That being to allow God to be all that God wanted to be for man and to provide for man all the riches that only God could and would. When God created man He left absolutely nothing out and nothing to chance. If it was what man needed, he got it. God, in His infinite wisdom knows exactly what we need and provides it before we need it. And God and man walked in complete fellowship, enjoying such a unique relationship, Father and child walking in unison and friendship. At one with each other. They walked together and talked together.

According to necessity, God placed boundaries upon man. If those boundaries were not set then man would have no way of knowing that he was out of grace and in wrath. God doesn’t do anything without a reason or logic. What may seem to man to be illogical is due to man’s understanding and Satan’s deception.
And, just as God knew would happen, man did exercise his independence from God and believed Satan's lies. The consequences of that awful moment have been felt ever since and indeed are felt to this day. Shame, guilt, rebelliousness, corruption, malice, adultery, murder, all these and more. Relationship between Father and child broken in an instant.

God is love. God is just. God is Holy. God is mercy. God is grace. God is forgiving. Jehovah Jireh. God is promise.

And God said, "Yes, I know you have done wrong. You did not rely on Me to be all in you that I could be and wanted to be. And you and I must be separated. We can not enjoy that relationship we once had." I can almost see the tears in God's eyes as he speaks these words. Wanting things to be otherwise but at the same time knowing they can never be. "But I will forgive you and I will provide, in fact have provided a way of escape. At a time in the future I will become a man and pay a penalty for you, which you can not pay for yourself. For you to pay that penalty means total death, spiritual and physical. The choice will always be yours to take what I offer or leave."

God is Love. Love does not impose itself. Love is patient and kind and merciful and tolerant. God is a gentleman and would not impose Himself on any one. God is not willing that one of His precious creation should be out of His good favour for even so much as an instant. His love - agape - is all encompassing, absolute and complete. His love is so strong for His creation it burns and so strong it hurts to the very core of Him. When He is rejected His pain so great it is like sweating blood.

Jehovah Jireh called Abram. Jehovah called Abram out of Ur of the Chaldees. "Come to a land and a life that I will give you." And Abram did that which El Shaddai commanded. "Abram, I know your comings out and your goings in. There isn't anything about you that I don't know. In fact Abram, even before you were born I knew you. You were Mine then as well as now. You are human, Abram, prone, in fact guaranteed to fail. You do exactly as I know you will do. You see Abram, there are no surprises with Me. However, you have proved yourself faithful to Me. You rely on Me to do that which you have no hope what so ever of doing for yourself. You know your limitations and rely on Me. Abram, you shall no longer go by that name. You shall henceforth be known as Abraham. You are born again by My spirit and your new name signifies your new status with Me. Oh, you will continue to fail. That won’t change. But remember, Abraham, I am your God. I am your salvation. Abraham, I, the Lord your God, who is able to do exceedingly more than you can imagine, will make of you a mighty nation. In fact Abraham, in you ALL the nations of the earth shall be blessed."

Logos bar Elohiym became flesh and lived with us, and we beheld His Glory, the Glory as of the one and ONLY person Fathered by Theos, full of grace and truth. Fathered by God, born of a woman to be Man giving exact expression of the image of Elohiym, living as intended. Living in total dependence upon His Father, being unwilling, by act of His own free will, to act independently, doing only that which was pleasing in His Father's sight. Being totally committed to and available, without reservation to His Father and having His Father totally available to Him. Echoing His Fathers actions totally and perfectly. Being perfectly human and totally perfectly God at the same time. Fathered by God, born of woman, as God intended.

I, Elohiym, will become human. Genetically perfect, spiritually perfect, acting in total obedience to My divine nature. Taking on Myself all the limitations of man. Expressing My divinity in humanity, completing that which I started in with Adam. Whereas Adam was formed from the dust of the earth, Jesus God formed with Himself.

According to the timetable, the Divine blue print, set down in eternity past, Logos took upon Himself all the limitations of His created being, clothed Himself with humanity and made His habitation among men and we beheld, viewed, His glory in human flesh.

Part Two

The Time has arrived. Approximately 4000 years of human history has past. According to the plan of the ages, God’s divine blue print, the time has arrived for that to occur which God has willed. God doesn’t do things the way man does. I rather think that if the place and time had been left up to man things would have occurred a little differently. The mother of the Saviour would have been good looking and very attractive, a well liked, by human standards, young lady of nobility, a king’s daughter and extremely wealthy. The town would most certainly been the capital city of the nation. There would have been great fan fair regarding the planned pregnancy. The very best and cleanest of settings would have most certainly been the order of the day. Of course the young lady in question would have most certainly been asked for her permission to carry the Royal Child. And the birth would have been in the best medical clinic available and only the very best of midwives, nurses and doctors would have attended throughout the whole pregnancy and birth. And the most prestigious hospital would have been used. God is not man and doesn’t do things the way man does. But then this isn’t about man’s way of doing things. This is all about God and His perfect infallible, plan. God makes no mistakes.

Mary was of the line of David, as was Joseph. Lived in Nazareth, Galilee, Israel. God chooses Mary. God declares that Mary is blessed. She has found favour, that is to say, she has walked in God’s ways. She is humble and will submit herself to God, willingly and happily. She is also a virgin. She has never known a man. She is betrothed, promised, engaged to Joseph, who is a carpenter by trade. God declares, promises Mary, that she will have a Son, fathered by the Holy Spirit of Elohiym. And Mary and Joseph act in accord with the divine will. They are totally obedient to Elohiym.

Blessed is Mary. She is a humble young lady who has found favour with God because she is obedient to His will for her life. She will allow God to be God in her life and act according to the Divine will. And Mary rejoices. She is devoted to God and wants what He wants. She wants to do His will for her and be obedient in love to Him. It is God first, God second, God always. She may query how she is to fall pregnant since she has never known a man. But she doesn’t question God’s will for her life. She accepts God’s will gladly and with a rejoicing heart. Mary queries HOW it will happen, not the fact that it will or the reason.

God didn’t ask Mary to consent to His will. He knew Mary and chose her. He knew exactly what she would ask but more importantly, He knew, without any doubt, that Mary would submit to the Divine will and do exactly as God commanded her. It was the same with Joseph. God knew that Joseph would do as his Creator promised and commanded. Two people in accord, in unity, at one with God.

Enter Joseph, a just man who also believed in doing right. Mary is betrothed, engaged, to him. He doesn’t want to make a public example of her, knowing that if he did Mary would certainly be considered to have committed adultery and so he decides to quietly divorce her and spare her life. Enter God. God informs Joseph of what is about to happen. And Joseph also is obedient to God and acts according to the Divine Blue print. Joseph marries Mary but does not know her until after Jesus is born.

Man’s ways are not God’s ways. Elohiym knows the exact time His order of events is to happen. Mary was humble, obedient, thought of God and worshipped Him. Joseph was a just man, a righteous man who recognised the law. He was also aware of the Sovereignty of Jehovah. Both at one with El Shaddai. And in complete obedience to Elohiym, Joseph of Nazareth did marry his betrothed and in accord with the Divine will did not know her and God rejoiced, as did all the heavens.

Joseph, a carpenter of Nazareth, Galilee took his wife and went to Bethlehem of Judea in obedience to Jehovah, because Caesar Augustus required a census. God rejoiced as His perfect plan unfolded. It was God’s will, told to the people by His prophets long ago, that the Saviour of man would be born in a particular place at a particular time and it was so. And God saw that it was very good.

But man doesn’t want God or God’s ways. They are foolishness to man. “We don’t really want you God. We want all the ‘good’ bits but that’s all. You are going to interfere in our lives again. We will tell you when it is convenient for you to visit us and intervene in our lives. But not now please. Caesar is giving us a real hard time just now and it doesn’t do to upset the Romans. After all You have decided that Nazareth is to be the place Your Son will be born. What self-respecting person would choose ‘that’ place to make the grand entrance. What’s wrong with Jerusalem? And Mary? I don’t think so. That might be considered to be adultery and isn’t she betrothed to that carpenter fellow Joseph? Nope, I think you got it all wrong God. Your plan will just never do.”
Caesar Augustus required a census. Never mind that God has said that such things are of no importance to Him. Never mind quantity. God is not interested in quantity. It is quality God wants. And it is us that God wants. Our hearts and minds and bodies. He will provide the quality.

And Bethlehem of Judea was God’s chosen place that God would clothe himself in our humanity, in the form of His own Dear Son, to live a life totally dependant upon His Father. Just as God would have us do with Him.
In Bethlehem there was not found a room available at any Inn for Mary and Jesus. But that was fine with God. Again, all part of His perfect plan. Elohiym would provide and the place would be one of His choosing, where the Saviour of the world would be available to all who would come and worship Him. Kings and priest and shepherds and carpenters and beggars, all people and all the animals of creation would be welcome at His feet.
Jehovah rejoices. This which He had planned and waited for, is. This day the answer to sin and death and hell entered, and is. That which for man was utterly and totally impossible is now possible. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised. His praises never end. Jehovah Jireh is. Emmanuel is. Jesus Christ is. Salvation free to all has arrived. Jesus Christ, Son of man, Son of God. And God said, “ I will dwell in Man. They will be my people and I will be their God. This is My will and today in Jesus, My baby/Son laying in a manger.”

The wise men looked to the heavens above. Look up for your salvation draws near. And they did, and a star was there to Guide them. But not just any star. A Star provided by God Himself to draw them and guide them on their way. They looked up to see where they might find Jesus. God is above. Look up and we see Him. When we look outside of ourselves for our answers we find the answers. Just as Jehovah willed, the star guided them to where Jesus their Salvation was. They worshipped Him, giving gifts of Gold, frankincense and myrrh. They knew just as we do, that He is the Royal One, a sweet fragrance Who would experience a death, being blameless Himself. A death that we deserve, that we could not die, to give us a life that we couldn’t live without His sacrifice. A life that we can’t live, that only He can. And just as He could and would lay down His life for us, so He would take it up again. And because He lives we can face tomorrow, all fear is gone, knowing for sure that we too will live!

The king Herod inquired of the priests and scribes as to where the Christ would be born. You search the Scriptures. Your salvation has this day arrived. Rejoice! But God knows the hearts and minds of men are deceitful and He knew Herod had a heart of evil intent. But what Herod meant for harm, God intended for good. It is God’s intention, His good will, that salvation would be available to all men, Joseph and Mary, in obedience take the young child to Egypt that the word might happen. Jesus would be available first to the Gentile nation and return at God’s appointed time to God’s chosen people.

God makes His announcement to Shepherds watching their flocks. The Glory of the Lord, the brightness of His light shone all around them. They left their flocks knowing Jehovah Nissi would watch their flocks. They found Mary and Joseph but it was their Saviour they sought and worshipped. Oh what Love this Lamb of God would show. The Lamb will become the Shepherd and watch His flock for evermore. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen.

And Logos bar Elohiym, Emmanuel, Jesus Christ, Saviour, King, is born of woman. Heaven Rejoices as El Shaddai’s plan of the ages unfolds and is fulfilled. The Almighty is a Child, loosing nothing of His Majesty and gaining in Glory and stature as He gathers His people. And all creation rejoices, as salvation in the form of a tiny baby is this day, born. The Promise, made so long ago to Eve is fulfilled. Salvation has this day arrived.
Mary did rejoice as she fulfils her God given role as mother, bringing forth her first born the Saviour. The pain of childbirth replaced with the joy of El Shaddai as she holds the tiny child to her bosom. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name is called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace.” At the appointed time, Elohiym clothes Himself with Humanity in the form of a baby. He is born man. Complete with all the limitations of a human. Living in total dependence on the Father.

Epilogue

Luke 2:40-52 And the child grew and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was upon him. And his parents went yearly to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, and they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast and had completed the days, as they returned, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, and his parents knew not of it; but, supposing him to be in the company that journeyed together, they went a day’s journey, and sought him among their relations and acquaintances: and not having found him they returned to Jerusalem seeking him.
And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers and hearing them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
And when they saw him they were amazed: and his mother said to him, Child, why hast thou dealt thus with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee distressed. And he said to them, Why is it that ye have sought me? did ye not know that I ought to be occupied in my Father’s business? And they understood not the thing that he said to them.
And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and he was in subjection to them. And his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.

Philippians 2:5-11 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.



Notes
When Jesus was born He had all the limitations of any human baby. Jesus develops as with any other human baby. He has no knowledge of His own. He possesses all the knowledge but that knowledge develops and is revealed according to God’s time line. He was completely dependent on others for His survival. He had to be fed and clothed and kept warm and nurtured. He had to be shown the right way. He did not have to be corrected or chastised. The big difference is that Jesus was obedient. Totally dependent on and obedient to His Father.
What am I saying here? Let me pose this thought. Let me be a little indulgent and take a little license. When Jesus was born God gave us an example of what He intended for His created man. When you look at Jesus and His life, I believe that God is saying to us, “This is what I wanted for you. This is the relationship that I desired to have with all humanity. With every person ever born. Starting way back with Adam, first man, and Eve, first woman.”
I have set this article at Christ’s birth. But a closer examination of the Gospel accounts is extremely revealing. I have hinted at this suggestion in the prologue where I have directly quoted from Luke chapter 2. However, there is much more. We talk of Christmas in terms of a beautiful baby in a manger with wise looking men and a few shepherds. All very nice and cosy. Jesus didn’t stay a baby. He grew up. And with that growing there was a change in His relationship with His Father. Does a human baby stay a baby forever? No. And neither it should. As a baby grows so its relationship with its parents changes.
Christ was totally committed to His Father, and His Father in turn was totally committed to Him.

Jesus – Man Born to Die
Author: Stanley J. Mitchell