“God’s Grand Gesture to reach those in the Shadow of Death”
by Babs Kincaid
The mastermind beyond all creation, God decided to make the ultimate grand gesture and to reach out to those in the shadow of death. In the Urban Dictionary a grand gesture “usually entails giving up something big in exchange for the gratitude and love of your significant other.” Doesn’t that sound like God sending his one and only beloved son on a mission to a perishing people? Do you not classify that as big? Doesn’t that sound like a supreme sacrifice? Doesn’t that sound like God being born as a baby in a stable? Have you ever heard of a King being born in a stable? All he was missing was a red Merry Christmas bow? For God to wear diapers and learn how to walk and talk just so he could establish a relationship with mankind is a big event!
Jesus left a perfect and loving home in Heaven to come to an imperfect world filled with sin. What an unequal exchange and a vital grand gesture! The word expresses it best, “Through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:78-79)
The one whose “origin is from eternity” (Micah 5:2) Jesus consented to leave his royal throne and travel to earth. He left an upright paradise to come to an immoral pit. He left a home of love to enter a loveless society. He left a peaceful environment to visit a restless one. He left a hopeful dwelling to live in a hopeless land. He left a joyful atmosphere to reside in a melancholy one. He left a kingdom ruled by grace and truth to stay in one ruled by insanity and greed. He left an environment of rejoicing to enter an environment of sorrow. He left a righteous world to stay in a wicked world. He made a decision to participate in an unequal exchange because he was motivated by love and obedience to God. Jesus left a city that has" no sun or the glory of God illuminates it" (Revelation 21:23) to enter a shadowly land. What extensive compassion Jesus had to consent to give up everything to travel to a place where depravity and darkness reigned supreme.. “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” (John 10:10-11)
God went to great lengths to rescue us from destroying ourselves. The essence of love, Jesus was sent by God on a mission to show us a better way to live. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Jesus was sent to build a relationship with us. Jesus brought the gift of love which rescues us from our character defects. The word fittingly states “love will cover a multitude of sins.”(1 Peter 4:8b)
Jesus who is also called the Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, Alpha and Omega, Bright Morning Star, Dayspring, Good Shepherd, Image of the Invisible God, Savior and Light of the World came to offer us the gift of eternal life. Jesus, the faithful and true witness came to help us rewrite our story from defeat to deliverance. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 God allowed Jesus to leave a world of serenity to enter a world of warfare. God was fully aware of the dangers, struggles and pain that would be inflicted on his precious son. Jesus walked in our shoes and overcame all the trials we would ever face. He defeated all the evils we would encounter one by one! Jesus said “in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33b No wonder Jesus is called the Savior of the world!
Jesus couldn’t bear to see you suffer any more so he was sent to open Heaven’s door. Jesus couldn’t bear to see you struggle in life and continue to make repeated wrong choices. God’s original design was for us to walk with him safe and secure from harm. “For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9) Jesus looked ahead to our salvation even when he endured the cross for us. The word says it best, that Jesus “who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,” (Hebrews 12:2a) Jesus was fully committed to see us finish strong believing that we would choose to trust God.
So what is my response to God’s grand gesture of sending Jesus to earth? My prayer is that I would grow in love and truth to leave the imprint of Jesus in my wake. My aspiration is to see people through Christ’s eyes. I long to have more gratitude and less attitude. As it is written, I want to “Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1) So in short, I want to rise up and shine the light of Christ in this dark world! My heart’s desire is to help others light their candles and shine brightly as well!
