For Family Only...
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Good Morning Ladies (and few gents),
Today’s devotion included below “For Family Only” is a reminder from GiG Gwen that, “David ran to God seeking refuge when he was hurting and overwhelmed.” And so we can too.
It’s Monday and time to share the 23rd Catechism truth.
“ 24 But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip.” Acts 2:24 NLT
Question 7: Why must the Redeemer be truly God?(Acts 2:24)
Answer: “That because of his divine nature his obedience and suffering would be perfect and effective; and also that he would be able to bear the righteous anger of God against sin and yet overcome death.”
GiG, John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, an important Early Church Father, known for his preaching and public speaking, his denunciation of abuse of authority by both ecclesiastical and political leaders, the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, and his ascetic sensibilities helps answer this question beautifully.
“Hell took a body, and met God face to face. It took earth, and encountered Heaven. It took that which was visible, and fell upon the invisible. O Death, where is thy sting? O Hell, where is thy victory? Christ is risen, and thou art overthrown. Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. Christ is risen, and the Angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and life reigneth.”
We often like to focus on the human aspects of Jesus, and it’s important to remember that Jesus was fully human. But he was also fully God. John declares in John 1:1, 14, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth”
Similarly, numerous times, Jesus himself affirms his divinity and that he was one with the Father.
GiG, the bottom line; our sin was committed against God. Only God can forgive a transgression against himself. So you see, Jesus needed to be fully human in order to be our substitute, but he needed to be fully God in order for his obedience and suffering to be perfect and for God’s justice to be completely and eternally satisfied.
May we be both thankful and encouraged that God the Son (because of our sin), bore the wrath of God the Father (something we could never do), and overcame death. Yes, only Jesus, the Holy One, could suffer the just punishment for sin and defeat death. Let’s have attitudes of gratitude to the nth degree!
God’s Got It…so we can GROW—God can take a mess and make it a miracle. Keep going. God’s got you.
Have a “Mercy” Monday, February 18, 2019—Jesus made a way for us to God, to enjoy him eternally. He deserves our thankfulness and praise.
Called to serve and encouraging others to thrive,
DEA: Embracing a Work-Hard, Rest-Well Life and Loving My Priorities, Loving My Life
