In the previous post we looked at the fact that Jesus is uniquely qualified to save and so therefore he should be supremely valued. In this post I want to consider the fact that not only was he able to save but he was also willing to save.
This is amazing to me. Here you have Jesus eternally enjoying the uninterrupted glory and joy within the Godhead (Jn. 17.5) and, at the same time, willingly condescending in draping himself in humanity, becoming a servant, humbling himself to the point of mockings, rejection, and ultimately death (Phil. 2.5-8).
O’ let it boggle your mind that Jesus Christ left heaven’s beauty to breathe in the smog of our sin and ultimately guzzle the vat of condemnation that we as humanity have been fermenting since that fateful day in Eden.
He left riches to become a poor that he might make broke people rich (in blessings). He left the intimacy of heavenly fellowship that he might be forsaken and rejected so that we, the enemies of God (Rom. 5.10) might be received, welcome and never forsaken. He was humiliated that we might be exalted. He was put to death that we might be made alive. Consider the infinite level of loving condescension that our Savior willingly undertook.
It is popular today to think about the cross and this loving incarnation and death of Jesus as the divine expression of humanity’s value to God. This unbiblical thinking asserts that the cross becomes the extreme expression as to how committed God is to acquiring us, as if we as the rebellious creation are somehow in possession of merit that may enhance God in some way (cf. Acts 17.25). Instead it is the fact that we are so worthless to God that magnifies the extension of mercy, grace and love through the cross (1 Tim. 1.15ff.)
So we have a Savior who was not only able but also willing to save. He was willing to come and clean up our mess. This should compel men and women to see this self-sacrificing incarnation of love, humility and grace as worthy of all our love and affection.