What a Wonderful Savior

   …Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a
servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a
cross. Philippians 2:5-8

As Christ came on earth His journey was a daily giving up His rights and embracing humiliation

It was humiliating …
… becoming a man, no one could make him do but He chose to do it!
… living among men that had no respect for His father and for Him.
… being treated like a sinner when he knew no sin.
… being around the disciples that continually had to be corrected.
… being kind to those that would betray Him.
… knowing that the ones that were exalting would also be the ones ask for His  crucifixion
… taking the journey to the cross knowing that He would carry the sins of those He loved and experience the separation and wrath of the Father.

A life of humiliation by choice while having the power to stop it all.

Jesus chose to die on the cross and to bear the full weight of it. John 10:17 “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

Philip P. Bliss penned the wonderful hymn

“Man of Sorrows,” what a name For the Son of God who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim!  Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude, In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood;   Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Guilty, vile, and helpless, we, Spotless Lamb of God was He;
Full redemption—can it be? Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Lifted up was He to die, “It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in heaven exalted high; Hallelujah! What a Savior!

When He comes, our glorious King, To His kingdom us to bring,
Then anew this song we’ll sing Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Why did Jesus do it? What a Savior!

Hebrews 12:2 “…looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

We know Jesus rose the third day victorious! What a Savior!

1 Corinthians 15:14 “And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.”
Philippians 2:9-11 “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Today we stand on the other side of the cross living our lives because of Christ’s finished work on the cross are we willing to give up our rights and embrace humiliation for the progress of the Gospel?

Our lives should be lived with three goals in mind:

• The progress of the Gospel in us – Sanctification
• The progress of the Gospel in our brothers and sisters – Discipleship
• The progress of the Gospel in the world – Evangelization

Scorning the work of Christ on the cross is the way of life for many today:

Those that call Jesus just a prophet
Those that call Jesus just a god
Those that add works to salvation
Those that call themselves Christians and don’t submit to Christ
Those that look at Christ as just a man
The list is without end!

Jesus came on earth fully aware of the humiliation He would encounter – fully aware of the scorn that would continue for thousands of years – fully aware of the cost – He did it by choice knowing that it was the ONLY way to provide salvation for those that believe in Him.

What a Savior!

We rejoice in our Savior, but let’s not forget that when we sin we choose to forget the cost for our salvation – when we do not love our local church we forget the cost of the bride of Christ – when we do not witness we forget that we are ambassadors for Christ begging the world to be reconciled with God.

We live our lives grateful that is God that has begun a good work in us and will bring it to completion! He chose us when we had not interest in choosing him!

What a Savior!