MORNING MANNA 12-17-23
THE SON OF MAN
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”–Luke 19:10
“For the Son of man—” That’s Christ!
At first glance this seems to be a title unbecoming of our Lord. After all, could this not be said of every man? We only see the signifiance of this title when we realize that it is the title He chose for Himself. Out of great humility He identifies Himself in terms of His humanity. Concerning His ancestry He is called the Son of Abraham and David. Concerning His maternity He is called the Son of Mary. Concerning religion He is called the Son over His own house. Concerning His deity He is called the Son of God. But, in regards to His humanity He calls Himself the Son of man.
“—is come—” That’s Christmas!
Throughout the ages, one prophet after another took up the harp of prophecy and assured their generation that the Messiah would come. But,each generation went to their grave without having seen this prophecy fulfilled. “But when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law. To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” (Gal. 4:4-5) At long last it could be said, “the Son of man is come”. He came down from the adoration of angels to the abominations of earth, from the blessedness of heaven to the burdens of life, from the comfort of glory to the condemnation of men. Think about it–He came from delight to decadence, ecstasy to execution, glory to gloom, joy to jeers, majesty to misery, peace to pain, and nobility to nothingness. And He did it all for you!
“—to seek—” That’s Compassson!
Although “there is none that seeketh after God” (Rom. 3:11), Christ came in search of man. Just as God came to Adam while he was hiding in the garden, He took the initiative to search us out and reveal Himself to us in the person of Christ. Just as Jesus came to the place where Zacchaeus was and called him, He is calling for you.
“—and to save that which was lost.” That’s Conversion!
Jesus didn’t come to see the seven wonders of the world, or to reform corrupt governments, or to start a welfare program to feed the poor, or to heal man’s physical ailments. He came to meet man’s greatest need–“to save that which was lost.”
The Son of God became the Son of man that the sons of men might become the sons of God. By nature we are all lost. We are sinners seperated from God and dead in our trespasses and sins. Yet Jesus came to save us–to give us life and reconcile us to God. That’s a love story without equal! This is the true Christmas story. –HDS
DAVID STONE
LAKEWAY BAPTIST CHURCH
5801 FM 1960 E.
HUMBLE, TX. 77346
