Amazing!
Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God, borrowed. Just making that statement sounds strange and bewilders me. Jesus borrowed everything. It almost doesn't seem right to think that, let alone say it. Jesus borrowed everything. How does that even make sense?
"Imagine, He owned everything. But when He came into this world He was borrowing everything from men, unthinkable. He had to borrow a place to be born and not much of a place at that. He had to borrow a place to lay His head, He didn't even have a home. Many nights He slept on the Mount of Olives. He had to borrow a boat to cross the little Sea of Galilee. He had to borrow a boat to preach from. He had to borrow an animal to ride into the city when He was being triumphantly welcomed as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He had to borrow a room for the Passover because He didn't even have a house in Jerusalem. He had to borrow a tomb to be buried in. The only person who had the right to everything wound up with nothing, became a servant. He came into the world as King of Kings, Lord of Lords, rightful heir to David's throne as well as God in human flesh, but He had no advantages, He had no privileges in this world. He came as a servant. Nobody gave Him anything. Nobody entrusted Him with any treasure. Nobody gave Him a home. Nobody gave Him animals to ride. Nobody gave Him land to call His own. Nobody gave Him anything. He served everyone. He had no advantages. He had no privileges."
~ John MacArthurThe Humiliation of Christ, November 6, 1988
I never thought about this until yesterday when we were having our family, breakfast devotional. Jesus borrowed everything. The Lord, our Savior, Master, Comforter, our Great, Mighty, Everlasting God, -- borrowed. How crazy does that sound?
Think about it. I mean, really think about it. I did. And sadly, I have to admit, the first thought I had was, "I'd never do that!" If I owned something, the thought of asking someone else if I could borrow what I already owned...well, that thought would never cross my mind. I was indignant of even considering such a thing. And instantly, I was ashamed at what a wretch I am, and openly confessed this to my family.
In truth, I actually own nothing. God owns all things and He is allowing me to borrow everything - my husband, my sons, my extended family members, friends, house, food, clothes, warm blankets, comfy bed, and everything I have and enjoy while I am here on earth. None of this truly belongs to me. It all belongs to God. Yet, when He was here, He claimed nothing for Himself, although all things came from Him, was made by Him, for Him and through Him. Our Lord Jesus claimed nothing - not even the magnificence of His deity (Philippians 2:6-7, John 1:3, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Colossians 1:16).
After everyone had left for school and work, I repented and thanked our compassionate and awesome God for His love that is nothing like mine; and I'm so thankful this is true. Aren't you? Imagine if God loved us, the way we love Him, or one another. I shudder to think what our lives would be like. Thank God, He Is God and we are not. Amen?Though we do not love God or others as God has loved us perfectly and fully through Jesus Christ, we are commanded to think like Him and love like Him. We are commanded to humble ourselves as Christ did and count others more significant than ourselves (Philippians 2:3).
But how can we, mere sinful mortals do such a thing? Well, the simple answer is, we can't. It's impossible. So why are we commanded to do something that is impossible for us? To remind us that everything that is good is only possible with God (Luke 18:19, Mark 10:27, James 1:16-17); not with man.
So here's my personal challenge: Love as Christ commanded (John 13:15, 34) - with humility, agape love and no concern for self, but always doing good to others, according to God's will and not mine. And remember that this is not of myself, but only can be achieved by faith and total reliance on Christ; for this too is a gift from God to me. In my own strength I will fail. But in the Christ's strength, I will prevail (John 16:33).
Jesus borrowed everything though He owned everything. Wow! What humility! What love!
Will you walk with me? Will you strive daily to forget about self and remember only our Lord Jesus and those He came to save? Let me know if you'll join me! I'll be so encouraged! And who knows, maybe we can encourage one another (Romans 1:12).
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