This Low Ground

“He came to this low ground of sin, sickness, and sorrow. . .” Here is a beautiful slice of poetry which a brother incorporated into his prayer. Low ground . . . the world of man; “You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands.” (Heb. 2:7 / Ps.8:5-6) Low ground . . . Jesus’ world; “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.”  (Heb. 2:9) Though angels could dine with mortals (as when they met with Abraham at Mamre), they were not made lower than their station. When one wrestled with Jacob, his peculiar power was not of this earth. The angels did not become one of us. They are spirits. (Ps.104:4 / Heb.1:7) Never were they born of woman. As Adam was formed from the dust of the ground, and woman came from Adam; so woman is the surrogate of earth, and we all emerge from that earthly womb. No angel was born of woman, but Jesus was. This is why Jesus is called the Son of God. He came from the womb. “And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.’” (Lk.1:25)

What does this mean for you and me?

• Heb. 2:14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

• 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

• 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham.

• 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

• 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

Also;

• Heb 5:8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.

• 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.

What obligations are entailed?

• Lk. 9:23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

A way has been made in the flesh for us to learn the love of God. This means learning to turn the other cheek, like Jesus. It means learning to be gracious toward those who do not fit our social norm, as Jesus was. This must be, if we are found worthy for Christ to be in us.

A way has been made in the flesh for us to be obedient. Therefore, we cannot say “I am only human.” We either are of Christ, or we have the potential. A way has been made for us to carry our cross.