The Measureless Mercy Of God
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles Tags: Bulletin Articles on God
Have we ever thought about the distance from God’s glorious throne down to the horrible cross of Calvary? What is the measure of our loving Savior’s love for us? In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he described Jesus’ descent from the heights of glory to the depths of shame and agony and back again.
He records these soul-stirring words in Philippians 2:5-11:
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and because obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.“
Christ is the eternal Creator and Lord of all existence (Colossians 1:16-17), exalted infinitely above earth dwellers’ foulness and decay. He is the source of life, with myriads of angels to sing His praises and do His bidding (Revelation 5:11-12).
Yet, motivated by love for our lost human race, “He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8). He came to this ungodly planet, was born as a helpless baby in a barn stall full of offensive smells and filth.
When our Lord grew to manhood, the Creator of the universe endured homelessness (Matthew 8:20. When He was thirsty, He asked an adulterous woman for water (John 4:7-18). When he became weary, He fell asleep in a boat on a storm-tossed sea (Mark 4:37-38).
As the sinless Son of God, He was adored by multitudes one day (Matthew 21:9), and then unjustly condemned as a criminal (Matthew 27:37-38), dying on a cruel Roman cross in excruciating pain.
Brethren and friends, that’s the distance from God’s throne down to Calvary, and that’s the measure of His tender love, grace, and mercy toward each one of us. Let us this day (and every day) give God praise for His measureless mercy!
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow:
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heav’nly hosts;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. —George Coles