Jesus Christ gave us the ultimate example of what it means to become poor in order to help others. Paul writes about this in 2 Corinthians 8:9, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich."
It's easy to love people, isn't it. "I love mankind!" Linus says..."it's people I can't stand." There's a bit of truth to the second half for us as well. When it comes time to express our love by lending a helping hand or writing a check, one can quickly determine the sincerity of our love for others. Paul was talking about this tangible love that Jesus exemplified for us. He was rich but became poor to make us rick. Consider what He gave up when He left Heaven to become a human:
* He left His Father, whose immediate presence He would not enjoy again for more than 30 years. He left His closest companion to be with a group of people that He knew was going to reject Him and eventually kill Him.
* He left a crowd that glorified and worshipped Him, including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and scores of angelic hosts and came here to be scorned, misunderstood, rejected, hated, scourged and downright hated.
* He left His home that far exceeded in splendor, majesty, and comfort the physical environment of His earthly life.
* He left His preincarnate existence in the form of God, without limitations, to assume a physical human body with all its limitations, fatigue, aches, pains, etc.
By comparison of Jesus' example, we are not asked to do much with regards to helping our fellow Christians. What Jesus asks us to do, He has already done to a degree far and above anything He asks of us. Our obedience can never equal His selflessness.
Blessings to all
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment