Meekness and Majesty

A modern hymn with great depth begins with these words: “Meekness and majesty, manhood and deity, in perfect harmony, the man who is God. Lord of eternity, dwells in humanity, kneels in humility, and washes our feet.” © 1986 Thankyou Music
 

Today’s devotional reading begins with these words from a great preacher, Jonathan Edwards: “There meet in Jesus Christ infinite highness and infinite condescension.”

As I read and study the Word of God, the more astonished I am at the incarnation of Jesus Christ. This is God who became man, even a man who submitted Himself to incredible disgrace in order to save me from my sin.

… Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:5–8)

Those who know these verses also know that it goes on to say that God exalts His Son to the highest place and that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord to the glory of the Father. This will happen at the end of history when Jesus wins.

Christ is the Creator. He possesses heaven and earth, rules the universe and does whatever He pleases. His riches are immense and inexhaustible. His majesty is infinitely awesome. His knowledge, wisdom and power are perfect and none can resist Him. Yet this One became sin for us. He humbly takes note of sinners, even the lowest of the low, and to us who deserve wrath, He offers eternal life. Incredible!

In the end, when God wraps up the world and brings history to a close, Jesus wins. I cannot imagine the scene, yet it is described in the final pages of His Word…

And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain…  (Revelation 5:5–6)

This coming together of infinite highness and low condescension fills my heart with awe and gratitude. The Christ, who is Lord of all, stoops to wash my feet. Meekness and majesty – indeed.