It was an intimidating setting. I sat earlier than the ordination council with solely my Bible and assertion of religion. For a number of hours, ten males questioned me about my beliefs. The time turned a blur, however there was one second that caught out among the many relaxation. Dr. Duane Litfin — former faculty president, pastor, and professor — took a second to clear his throat. He started by complimenting my assertion of religion. It was orthodox. It was clear. It was good. He then transitioned to make his level.
“Don’t neglect the lordship of Jesus Christ,” he stated. He went on to say that my assertion of religion was comparatively skinny on the deity of Christ in comparison with the humanity of Christ. He emphasised how transformative the lordship of Jesus had been for him, sharing that he had failed to completely grasp this doctrine for the primary 25 years of his ministry. And he exhorted me, younger pastor and ordinand: grasp the bigness of Jesus.
I’ve lengthy forgotten many of the ordination examination. However this second nonetheless resounds: grasp the lordship of Jesus Christ. Jesus is just not solely our Savior; he’s Lord over all creation.
Our Human Christ
Lately, many good books have emphasised the humanity of Jesus. He’s mild and lowly. He’s tenderhearted. He is not going to blow out the smoldering wick or break the bruised reed. He’s sort, gracious, and meek. He sympathizes with us in our weaknesses. He’s affected person and long-suffering towards his folks. His steadfast love by no means ceases. Sure and amen. These biblical truths are price rejoicing in and meditating upon. Reward God for the affected person, mild love of Christ for sinners!
However might this emphasis on Jesus’s humanity lead a few of us to neglect his divine nature? Will we consider Jesus solely like us? Is he the good friend who hears our confessions and provides merely consolation? It’s pure for us to dwell on Jesus’s humanity since we too are human. Jesus did come to earth as man, died as man, rose as man, and now reigns as man. The incarnation is a wonderful reality. He’s Immanuel, God with us.
And Jesus is the God-man. Will we subtly and unintentionally undercut the divinity of our Lord? Will we by chance decrease his divine nature?
Good Information of Divinity
Jesus’s humanity is certainly excellent news — however not aside from his divine nature. Sure, we marvel that God despatched his Son into our world. However earlier than the incarnation, the divine Son was there. He has been working since eternity previous and works now in redemptive historical past.
The Jesus we all know was instrumental on this planet’s creation: “By him all issues had been created, in heaven and on earth, seen and invisible, whether or not thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all issues had been created by means of him and for him” (Colossians 1:16). Nothing exists aside from the artistic energy of Christ. Proper now, he holds all issues collectively — each atom and molecule (Colossians 1:17).
Jesus, just like the Father, is the nice I Am (John 8:58). Jesus reveals the Father. He’s not some poor facsimile, a knockoff model of the unique. Relatively, because the eternally begotten Son, Jesus is distinct from the Father but totally God, completely revealing the Father’s nature (John 14:9). He’s “the picture of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15).
It’s this Lord — this Creator, Sustainer, and Sovereign — who involves us. He calls us associates. He loves us. He attracts close to to us. To make use of David’s phrases, these items are too marvelous for me (Psalm 131:1)!
Isn’t it outstanding when paradoxical qualities maintain collectively? We delight to see a robust and intimidating man who speaks tenderly along with his spouse and youngsters. We admire a petite girl who displays female braveness within the face of worry. A star who takes an curiosity in a lowly stranger makes us marvel. A person with nice riches who lives generously and sacrificially impresses us.
So it’s with Jesus’s humanity and divinity, completely embodied collectively. Think about the disciples within the boat with Jesus because the storm raged. Their worry dissipated once they realized that Jesus instructions the wind and waves. Their nervousness over having no meals left once they found that Jesus feeds hundreds from just a few loaves. This was no mere instructor, however God within the flesh. The Lord of the universe allowed depraved males to crucify him for his Father’s glory and the redemption of mankind. Marvel on the humanity and divinity of Jesus.
Recovering His Lordship
Recovering the lordship of Jesus is crucial in our man-centered age. Jesus’s lordship makes his humanity a consolation. If Jesus is simply human, he’s weak and powerless. He can sympathize with us in our weaknesses however can not grant forgiveness. He can attempt to give consolation however can not save. He provides us a shoulder to cry on, however he can not wipe away each tear and convey us into his heavenly kingdom. He’s affected person however can not rescue us from the wrath to come back. He can encourage us however can not convey actual hope to bear upon our lives.
However after we recuperate his lordship, we see the marvel of his incarnation. Jesus is God incarnate. The Creator and Sustainer of everybody and every part condescends to his folks. The Holy One who dwells in unapproachable mild beckons us into his presence. The fearsome and awe-inspiring Lord, who guidelines and reigns over all, is mild and lowly along with his personal.
His title is Devoted and True. He’ll return to make battle, his eyes like flames of fireplace. Clothed in a gown dipped in blood, he’ll lead the armies of heaven with a sword protruding from his mouth, treading down his enemies within the fury of the wrath of God (Revelation 19:11–16). This Almighty One is King of kings and Lord of lords. However he’s the one who proper now says to any and all who will hear, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I provides you with relaxation” (Matthew 11:28). That is the outstanding lordship of the God-man.
Resting in His Lordship
To at the present time, I discover myself needing to come back again to Dr. Litfin’s phrases repeatedly: grasp the lordship of Jesus Christ. I default to Christ as close to, comforting, forgiving, and sort. However these qualities are excellent news as a result of he’s the one who holds me quick in his sovereign hand. He made heaven and earth and each cell in my physique — even when some flip cancerous in opposition to me. He ordains all my days — even those once I stroll by means of the valley of loss of life. He is aware of my body — even when it crumbles beneath exterior stress. He numbers my days — whether or not they’re many or lower quick. He’s Lord, and he attracts close to to his beloved kids.
So how does Christ’s lordship remodel the way you method him? Maintain collectively his divinity and humanity. Meditate upon his greatness, energy, and holiness, at the same time as you relaxation in his gentleness, kindness, and long-suffering. Let the reality of his humanity and divinity lead you to entrust your self to his tender and sovereign palms. There isn’t any higher place to be. Come and relaxation in Jesus, a giant God who delights to consolation his kids.
