3/9/12 The God who Came Down

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Q. 22- How did Christ, the Son of God become a human being?
A. Christ, the Son of God, became a human being by assuming a real body and a reasoning soul.  He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary, who gave birth to Him; but He was sinless.

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor. 5:21)

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. (Heb. 4:15)

Thoughts: We tend to think more of ourselves and our righteousness (as if we deserve heaven) and think less of God’s sacrifice in coming and dying for us.  We tend to think we sin less and perhaps (even to the point of blasphemy) that God messes up.  Lent is a time to get things in the right perspective.  Christ, the innocent lamb, was sacrificed- bearing our sin- paying our penalty. 
    Two years ago Chilean miners were trapped thousands of feet below the surface and the world held its breath until they were found; until a drill hole was made to them; and until they got out.  But one act struck me when a Chilean miner on the surface volunteered to go down to his colleagues trapped below.  That is what Christ has done for us.  He came down- risking- even giving His own life that we might have life. 

Prayer: Thank you for becoming incarnate for us Lord.  Thank you for leaving the comforts of your home to come and die on our behalf.  

(Chilean miner rescued) 

1986 Q. 22. How did Christ, the Son of God, become man?

A. Christ, the Son of God, became man by assuming a real body and a reasoning soul. He was

conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, who gave birth to Him;

yet He was sinless.

1647 Q. 22. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
A. Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, and born of her  yet without sin.

3/8/12 There is a Redeemer

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Q21- Who is this Redeemer of God’s chosen ones?
A. The only Redeemer of God’s chosen ones is the Lord Jesus Christ.  He is the eternal Son of God.  He became a human being, and so He was and continues to be, God and human in two distinct natures and one person, forever.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mk. 10:45)

Thoughts: Redemption and restoration to God are certainly Lenten themes.  We cannot go through certain steps to redeem ourselves.  We cannot bargain our goodness with God- saying we’ll be good if He’ll help or save us.  Christ came to ransom us, to bring us back to Himself.  To redeem something means a redemption price has to be paid.  Forgiveness always costs something to the one who forgives, and it is not different with God. 

Prayer: Thank you for paying the ransom, for redeeming me to yourself, O God.