This is part 2 of 3 of Lesson 8: Seeing The Invisible. Click here to go back to the introduction to this lesson.
This week we’re talking about believing what we can’t see. It is always good to dwell on the character of God, and in particular the truth that God is for us and that He acts in our interests. It is especially good to dwell on these realities when we’re going through a ‘crucible’ time.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Rom 8:31,32 (NKJV)
Christ’s sacrifice was certainly ‘extravagant’ as the lesson puts it. Let’s think about the enormity of what Christ signed up for. We are very aware of the physical suffering borne by Jesus, but there have been people on this earth who have suffered worse than Christ did if we are just talking physical pain.
The real extent of Jesus’ suffering was in the emotional and spiritual realms. First of all there was the indignity involved in leaving His glorious state in heaven and becoming a human – starting off as a dependent baby – consider Jesus in nappies!
Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross. Phil 2:5-8 (NLT)
But if Jesus knew that everything would work out ok, does this mean His suffering was much more bearable? No this was not always the case:
Even doubts assailed the dying Son of God. He could not see through the portals of the tomb. Bright hope did not present to him his coming forth from the tomb a conqueror, and his Father’s acceptance of his sacrifice. {ST, February 15, 1883 par. 3}
And in Gethsemane note His suffering and desperate desire to escape the trial, yet he resolved to do His Father’s will:
Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, [even] to death. Stay here and watch.” Mk 14:34.
“Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”
So the sacrifice had a real cost, and was done out of a love for the human race, for each of us.
Thinking about God’s feeling towards us, I like the following text:
The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet [you] with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zeph 3:17 (NKJV)
I also love the following promise Jesus made:
I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10 (NKJV)
