JESUS’ POVERTY WAS INTENTIONAL SO WE COULD BE RICH!
JESUS’ POVERTY WAS INTENTIONAL SO WE COULD BE RICH!
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. —II Corinthians 8:9
The “grace of our Lord Jesus Christ” is awesome! It is staggering to the mind to think about and try to grasp. Jesus had it all in glory— all that is good, holy, truthful and right. He was in that glorious place where there is no wrong, no conflict and no problems. Yet because of His favor toward us, a favor that we did not deserve, He saw us and understood our poverty, our spiritual bankruptedness. And because of our spiritual poverty He came to earth to provide a way to change that in our lives.
If was for our sakes that Jesus left the glorious riches of heaven to come to this sin infested world— a world where the majority of people did not want anything to do with Him. The majority did not and do not want to accept His offer of being made rich through the self-induced poverty that Jesus took upon Himself. He did not come as the King He is. He did not show up to impress people with grandeur. Amazingly He came as a servant. This One who created and sustains everything came not to be served, but to serve.
He willingly served among us and then went to the cross as the plan to rescue us from our spiritual poverty. Yes, the Creator and Sustainer of all things died on the cross for our sins— for our spiritual bankruptedness and then rose from the grave as proof that He indeed is the Son of God (Romans 1:1-4). Now all who call upon Him will have His riches credited to their account— His righteousness is credited to save us from our spiritual filthiness. This is not an automatic transfer. Individuals need to call on His Name for this transaction to be finalized (Romans 10:13).
Grace! When we call on Jesus to save us from sin and to a relationship with God through Him we become heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus! (Romans 8:17). Talk about grace— this is utterly astounding! When we had nothing Jesus came so we could have everything forever! Wow… how sad there are those who do not want anything to do with Jesus. It is an eternal mistake as those who reject Jesus “will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life” (Matthew 25:46). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrQiLEO4D5s
But let’s make this clear— going to “church” does not complete this transaction— nor does prayer, reading the Bible, being a “good person” or anything else that depends on us. This transaction is only completed by calling on the Name of Jesus for salvation. There is no other way (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). If you have not completed this transaction, I would encourage you to do so right now! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYZw0dfLmLk&t=17s
Dear Father please help me to be a servant like Jesus. I fall so far short, but my desire is to be more of a servant like Him. May it be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. Yes, so be it!