The Relationship Continues (Lent 11, 2023)

How many of us, when betrayed, would cut off the betrayer and never again have a relationship? 

God’s answer was to continue relationship.  I’d argue that reality (i.e. relationship) is part of the Image of God and why I believe humanity alone bears this Image.

Speaking of humanity in Hebrews 2:7 “’You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor 8 and put everything under their feet.’ In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them. 9 But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. 10 In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what He suffered.

Salvation is inherently relational. Why would that be?

Hebrews 2:11 Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. 12 He says, ‘I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.’ 13 And again, ‘I will put my trust in him.’ And again He says, ‘Here am I, and the children God has given me.’ 14 Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by his death He might break the power of him who holds the power of death– that is, the devil– 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

Mortality was something humans received as punishment when we sinned. 
Angels were sent straight to hell when they sinned. 
But humans died and carried God’s Image (broken through sin) to the grave too. 
For God, that was unacceptable.

Hebrews 2:16 For surely it is not angels He helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason He had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that He might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because He himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.

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Focus for Lent:  The relationship continues in Christ Jesus through His intercession and ours.

Questions for further thought:

The devil was an angel. Angels go straight to hell without salvation offered. Do “spirit-only” beings like angels die?

How does mortality of humans explain Jesus’ coming to rescue sinners (not angels) and doing so by His death on a Cross?

What about mortality of humans grieves God with respect to His Image?

Now that Jesus ascended and the Holy Spirit has come, how do we continue this relationship as a reflection of His Image?

Prayer: Thank You Lord Jesus that You didn’t leave us without a Redeemer. Thank You that Your Image is so precious to You that extreme and sacrificial measures would be planned.  That Jesus would be clothed with human flesh, being made in human likeness, to be made sin for us, to suffer, to die on a cross to save us.  Your goodness to us, continuing relationship with us, Oh Lord, it inspires both gratitude and awe.  We are rendered speechless before You, Lord.  Amen.