I am freshly in wide-eyed wonder over a particular paradox of our multifaceted God. The complete transcendence, the “otherness,” of our Creator who, in complete humility, became a human in Jesus of Nazareth. Going even further, those who have a personal relationship with Jesus also have the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of the living God is inside of us to guide and comfort. This is one of the most wonder inspiring aspects of the Christian faith.
I understand why this does not compute for many people. It did not make sense to me either when I first heard it.
The following is from King David’s prayer before his son Solomon began to build the temple. Try reading it slowly to let his descriptions sink in a bit. Meditate on the hugeness of the one David describes.
11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. 13 And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. (1 Chronicles 29)
What impressed you most? Did you see anything new?
Next, meditate on Isaiah’s prophecy that was fulfilled by Jesus of Nazareth.
53:2 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Does this sound anything like David’s description?
When I compare these two passages, at least on the surface, I don’t see anything in common, yet they are both speaking of the same Creator God…. That is what makes my eyes go wide with wonder.
In an attempt to close the loop for today, meditate on this passage for a bit.
Jesus said in John 1415 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. 18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. …23… “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”
How personal can the God of David become?
Again, this is mind bogglingly wonderful! For instance I don’t think I’d ever noticed before the end of John 14:23: “…make our home with him.” Father, Son & Holy Spirit all reside with those who love them. This is even one more example of wonderful things to contemplate.
Abba, Thank you that all these seemingly divergent truths hold together in You. You are truly multifaceted! You created everything and are worthy of all praise. Everything we have comes from you. Thank you for entering our world then giving us your comforter. May we have eyes to see and ears to hear how these realities make a difference to us.
