As I sat in church as a visitor last Sunday in Chesapeake City, Maryland, I gazed upon a picture of Jesus. It was one I had seen many times in the past, but this day it was, well, different. I was drawn into it, mesmerized…pensive.
Jesus. Praying with the light shining down on him. Half man. Half God. Born of a virgin. This is something I’ve taken for granted as part of the Christmas story. But how often have I thought about what that really means? For me. For you. For all who come to believe.
He was made a little lower than the angels. Lived the life of a man and yet he was one with God and as such the creator of the earth. A great mystery. One I can’t fully comprehend this side of heaven, but it brings amazement.
Jesus came to earth to live as one of us. He experienced life from our point of view, being met with trials and temptations similar to ours. He was rejected by many and had friends who abandoned him. But he didn’t sin. Instead, he became our stand-in; he took the punishment for us, so that we could be reconciled to our heavenly Father.
There is such a beautiful expression of this in the book of Hebrews:
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:15,16 (NIV)
Mercy. Grace. Jesus. Man. God. Son of the Almighty.
I am in awe. How about you?
~Carolyn
“Life isn’t easy. Together we can make it better.”
Amen!:)
My grandparents (Mom’s parents) had this same photo in their home. I think I probably took it for granted. How silly of me, eh?!
How interesting that he is leaning on a ROCK while praying, as He is MY rock for sure!
Thank you, I hadn’t thought about it that way. :)
Whole new perspective on a well known much loved picture. Thanks
Thank you for taking the time to read!
Carolyn, this picture of Jesus is my favorite. My aunt who raised me and my grandmother both had this picture hanging in their living rooms. Even as a child I was mesmerized by it. I’m so fortunate to have Him in my life. I rely on Him to always put me on the right path. Thank you so much for being my friend..God is good all the time!
All the time, God is good. Thanks for being MY friend.
Servant King….made Himself nothing to give us everything. May we follow His example and be humble servants for Him. Thanks for the pause to be in awe.
Yes. Amazing grace.