June Taylor
Charles Wesley wrote, “Amazing love! How can it be that thou my God wouldst die for me?”
We continue to be amazed as we ponder the depths Jesus, the Son of Man went, to redeem mankind and deliver us from evil. His suffering went beyond the stripes and the cross, down into the belly of the earth.
“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Matthew 12:40
There, as a man forsaken and alone, knowing that he could not resurrect himself, he remained steadfast, “setting the Lord continually before him.”
“I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” Psalm 16:8
He fully fulfilled what was written in the scriptures. His body would not experience corruption but would be resurrected by the Holy Spirit.
“For You will not leave my soul in hell; neither will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.” Psalm 16:10
Even as the prophet told Judah, when they were about to be driven out of their inheritance:
“…Be not afraid nor dismayed…for the battle is not yours, but God’s” 2 Chronicles 20:15.
“You shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand you still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you…” 2 Chronicles 20:17.
Likewise Jesus endured, and waited for God to deliver him.
As deep (man) called out to deep (God), Jesus forged the path, bridging the chasm of separation between God and man. Jesus, in total dependence on his Father, prayed from the depths of his soul, and his prayer was heard. His cry became mankind’s access to the heart of God. Jesus, the Way, opened the door for mankind to be reconciled to God, so they could approach their Creator and be accepted by Him.
Jesus fulfilled his mandate and his promise to “go and prepare a place” for [us] to rest, that where [he is, we] may be also (Jn. 14:2). Dr. Brian Simmons notes, “Jesus’ “going” was to go through death and resurrection in order to make us ready to be his dwelling place. He had to “go,” not to heaven, but to the cross and pass through resurrection.” TPT (The Passion Translation)
Now, thank God, he came back for us, took us into himself, and brought us to our destination – our Abba Father! Now we can live and move and have our being wrapped in His glorious presence. Now we can enter and abide in Rest – our Prince of Peace.
We inherited all this because Jesus endured until the very end. He finished his course. He triumphed over death AND hell, stripped the evil principalities and powers of all their weapons, all their authority and power, and took the keys. The Holy Spirit raised him from the dead in such a display of power that many were raised from the dead after his resurrection. He was received into glory and enthroned at his Father’s right hand, where all power in heaven and earth was given to him.
Everything Jesus did in his humanity was as a man for all mankind. His win is our win. His mission is our mission. His authority is our authority. His favor with God is our favor. We have been given everything we need for life and godliness. When the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us, He empowers us with the authority of heaven to live on the earth as kings and priests, as sons of God, walking in dominion, speaking life, and doing what Jesus did – until all enemies are put under his feet!