Tag: incarnation

What If God Was One Of Us

Joan Osborn sang a song back in the 1990’s.  It did lean slightly irreverent however, it did bring up a good thought and point.  She pined, what if God was one of us?  Just a bum like one of us.  Just a stranger on the bus trying to make his way home.

In our last time together we referenced Jesus, leaving glory, and the creator becoming the created.  God was one of us.  He was not a bum, but he lived the day to day life and suffered as we do but was sinless.

This longing of the Osborn song was, God does not know what it is like to exist as we do.  The daily needs and sacrifices and losses.

But He does.  God has always pursued His people.  Think of the Tabernacle.  Instructions given to Moses were precise and the location of this tabernacle, this tent, was right in the middle of the people.  Not on the outskirts of town or on a mountain or city far away, but right in the middle.  Literally the people of God camped around this tabernacle, this tent.  God in the midst of the people. 

Which is exactly what Jesus did.  The tabernacle was a prefigure of Christ.  When John begins his gospel, he references the Word, Jesus.  Who was God in the beginning and created in the beginning.  And this word, John says, became Flesh and dwelt among us.

What does this word dwelt mean?  The literal translation of the word is tabernacled.  He built his tent among us.  Jesus in the midst of His people. 

So, the reply to that old song from Joan Osborn is, God was one of us.  Innocently and perfectly righteous, but God did take on human flesh and suffering. 

I have not been one who follows the Royal Family in England yet there is one story that retains my attention.  This is not an in-depth interest but when I see a headline I will read it.  The story of which I am referring is Mr and Mrs. Prince Harry leaving the Royal family which happened a number of years ago.

When he and his wife left, they lost several things like titles, a place in the Royal Palace and they left a family with a net worth of $60 Billion.

They left this life in England to go to California and do podcasts, write a book and have occasional acting appearances, leaving behind all the financial security imaginable to be everyday working stiffs.

Think about this: They now have to make arrangements for internet service, pump gas, grocery shop, change oil in the car, arrange and plan for health and car insurance.

As a believer, did you ever consider this in terms of Jesus? 

The book of Hebrews begins:

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

Jesus left infinitely more in comparison to what Harry left. 

These opening words of Hebrews are deep but today consider just one thing.  Jesus, very creator God, enters the fallen creation to encounter hunger, thirst and fatigue. 

ALSO, for the saved, he faced death.  The wages of sin is death.  For those who are of the faith, He encountered this death, in our place.  On our behalf.  God FOR US!

Oh what a mighty Savior is Jesus my Lord. 

i believe