Christ’s Path

December 2015 — Grace & Truth Magazine


Christ’s Path

It is instructive to consider the path Christ took down from heaven to earth to become our Savior and then back up to heaven. He “became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn. 1:14 ESV ) and “for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross.” Then finally the Lord sat down “at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2).

He Came Down
He is the Creator: “By Him all things were created” (Col. 1:16). Yet He came down to earth, being born of a virgin (Mt. 1:22-23; Isa. 7:14). This miraculous birth did not bring Him honor, but merely the presumption that He was a son of Joseph (Lk. 3:23) and Mary, conceived out of wedlock. Some who would not receive His word hinted that He was born of fornication; they said, “We were not born of sexual immorality” (Jn. 8:41).

Socially, He came as a nobody. He did not live in a good neighborhood (Jn. 1:46) and was raised by a stepfather who was a carpenter (Mt. 13:55). He came as a poor man.

He Went To The Cross
As prophesied, He was “like one from whom men hide their faces ... despised, and we esteemed Him not” (Isa. 53:3 JND). His human body was given to Him through the Holy Spirit (Mt. 1:18) that He might bear “our sins in His body on the tree” (1 Pet. 2:24 ESV). He endured the cross, scorning its shame (Heb. 12:2), while “the Lord ... laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isa. 53:6). No one could ever go lower!

He Was Raised Up
Immediately after dying the shameful death of the cross, His exaltation began. At the lowest point of His path He had become the corpse of an executed man – something generally of little value in man’s eyes – but He was honored by a rich disciple, Joseph of Arithmea, who “wrapped [His body] in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his new tomb” (Mt. 27:57-60).

Since it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him (Acts 2:24), God raised Him from the dead on the third day (10:40). Then, after having been seen by many over a period of forty days, He was taken up into heaven (1:3,9) and exalted.

His Exaltation
After returning to heaven He was exalted to a position of highest honor. There He sat down “at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2). No position is of higher honor in heaven or on earth! “God has highly exalted Him,” and ultimately “every knee [will] bow, in heaven and on earth and ... every tongue [will] confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Phil. 2:9-11). And we shall see His glory, the glory He had “before the foundation of the world” (Jn. 17:24).

Therefore, having accomplished our redemption, He will be back where His journey started, but with additional glory! We will worship Him saying, “Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Rev. 5:9 KJV). And “every creature ... [will be] saying, ‘To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!’” (Rev. 5:13 ). He will still be the man who was the Lamb that was slain, but He will be recognized as being worthy “to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing” (v.12). What a day that will be!

By Alan H. Crosby

Christ’s glory fills eternity, Eternity which was and is; And all eternity to be Will shine with His undying praise; To Him who lives but once was slain Be honour, power and praise, Amen.—Joseph Swain (1761-1796)