Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Isaiah 49:6 Indeed He says, "It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob, And to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth."
THE SAVIOR OF THE NATIONS ... CAME AND WAS BORN TO BE BIGGER THAN HUMAN EXPECTATIONS
It has become popular in some circles to speak of the "bigness" of God. While some use the expression to refer to the triune God's omnipotence and ability to overcome every problem (no matter how big), others have used the expression to emphasize what they perceive as graciousness. "Your God doesn’t approve of homosexuality? Well, my god is bigger than that." It is evident that "their god" isn't the God who reveals Himself in the Bible.
The triune God isn't a pushover when it comes to sin. He's not like an out-of-touch grandfather who approves of everything that everyone does. God's justice required that there be punishment for sin. God's love provided the solution in Christ.
God's solution for sin was also bigger than human expectations. While some thought that the Messiah would deliver only the Jews, God had bigger plans. In fact, through the Prophet Isaiah the LORD stated that it was "too small a thing" to send the Messiah only to deliver the tribes of Jacob. The LORD determined to send His Christ as a light to the Gentiles and to save those who lived beyond the borders of Israel. Christ came to be Savior of the nations.
So did the angel declare to the shepherds (Luke 2:10):
"Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people."
