Look the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world; a man is coming who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me –John 1:29-30
Occasionally in life I come across a married couple who appear set apart from the rest. Their marriage is defined by tenderness, closeness, and harmony.
Such people are rarely young, in fact they are always older, but they still have a sparkle. If you listen to their story, it will not always have been like that though. They will tell you of battles, hardships and suffering; of times when they wanted to quit, walk away, start again (with someone else) but for what ever reason they ploughed on. Such marriages are almost always Christian in my experience and most couples confess to being held together by the unseen, but ever present Jesus.
We are talking about Jesus through the Gospel of John, and as we come to these verses we gain further insight into Jesus and his purpose. Last time we spoke of his deity, and how so few people are able to accept it. In this verse though, we see Johns supernatural reference to the man, Jesus Christ – how is it that a man existed long before John, when he was younger than John?
In Jesus Christ, God became flesh and walked among us. He is both divine and human and will continue to be forever. Later in 1 John, we are told that he became like us, so that we would become like him. That is for another day.
Sometime in the past, before our creation, before even the Angels were made, the Father and Son considered what was before them. With perfect insight, they could see what this world would look like. Our purpose was to be the bride of Christ, a beautiful people made specifically for the outpouring of the Sons love. Yet it would take some steps to achieve that, many of them pain filled.
With some poetic license, you can imagine the discussion. Will the ensuing sacrifice and separation be worthwhile, the Father asks as he bites his bottom lip. So few will respond, even when confronted with the physical presence of the Son. Will it be worth it? The Son counters with his desire for his Bride, his willingness to make the sacrifice even for just a few. Look what they can become, is his response. Yet he waits for permission from his Father. The Father will create everything around the framework of his Son and their relationship, to honour his Son. All of creation is for him, through him and because of him. Even the notion of a Lamb, so ready and easily sacrificed, would be created with him in mind. The Father and Sons love for us, would be the reason for his death. The journey would be messy, ugly and blood soaked at times, and reluctantly many would be discarded but the end would fulfil exactly the purpose both Father and Son had in mind. The story would find its ultimate completion back in the Son, as the Father always intended. It will end up beautiful beyond compare.
The marriage we talked of earlier is a mirror of that relationship as well; separate identities, with separate roles, yet equal. At its very best, which few rarely achieve, there is a harmony that causes the two to be seen as one, moving together with common purpose, the thought of separation unimaginable. So few of us see it even in others, but when we do we see the mirror of how it was made, its origin. A Godhead of more than one.
This week, may you walk in His grace, with understanding that his love is for you through every step; he went to incredible lengths to secure you and one day, when you see him you will be like him.
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