I know we have all heard it said – “God won’t give you anything you can’t handle.” Another one for sure you know – no temptation shall come to you that you can’t endure… Many times, when hearing this I’m asking mysel: “Lord, do you really need to test me on that?”… “If i am so capable then why all the pain and sadness?” Do you ever catch your thoughts going here like me?
Let’s take a look at this passage from the book of Matthew: (Jesus is speaking on John the Baptist)
7As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? 8Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces. 9Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. 10John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say,
‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
and he will prepare your way before you.’c
11“I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is! 12And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing,d and violent people are attacking it. 13For before John came, all the prophets and the law of Moses looked forward to this present time. 14And if you are willing to accept what I say, he is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come.e 15Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!
I have been thinking of this point for a few weeks now.. in fact.. i cannot get it out of my head… Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is! I am not about to claim biblical knowledge or the slightest skill at interpretations but here is the point that won’t leave my mind: GOD SHUT JESUS OUT on the day of crucifiction. God, the FATHER, LOOKED AWAY FROM JESUS! His Son, His Holy Righteous Son, was cast “no good” for a very fine moment in history’s time, while you and I and every other lowly sinner of the world, past , present, and future recieved a “pass”. We have gained the “God will still love you and care for you” card, despite our unworthiness thanks to Christ.
Is this not the most ridiculous thing anyone has ever done for ME? FOR ME? The current me with all my junk and stink…. ? For me?
The Father in Heaven CAST His eyes away from Christ that day on the cross to accept HIS HOLY PAYMENT for my life? and yours!
Read this once more:
Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!
Was Jesus speaking in a roundabout way of His own worth to the Father that time? Has Jesus suggested to us that He, HIMSELF, The King of Glory, was less than par in God’s Kingdom at some point in time… ?
Even better? Whether Christ implies His lowliness in scripture or not…. does it matter for us when God looks upon us?
Does it even register with me each morning that I don’t deserve this life of grace and good and greatness and forgiveness and strength and meekness and love and eternity? Who gives these blessings away while closing His eye to the ONLY ONE that COULD ever earn it?
Our Father does….. over and over and over again…. Our Father did this for us….
Barnabas Man 