by Dr. S. Franklin Logsdon
love, God gave His Son for the whole world (Jno. 3:16). “He saw us plunged in deep distress. He flew to our relief. For us He bore the dreadful cross, and carried all our grief.” When Jesus Christ set His blessed feet on His own foot stool, He had entered this realm as a Deliverer. He was invading the territory which had been overrun by a fear ful usurper. God could have sent great companies from the glory with transcendent power, but He did not choose to do so. Instead, this was His plan: “Truth shall spring out of the earth” (Ps. 85:11). This was prophetic of the incarnation. “He shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground” (Isa. 53:2). What an inauspicious invasion for a Mighty Conqueror! It put a Branch in the manger, a Word on the cross, and a Lamb on the throne. It did more than that. It 'brought deliverance to the captive and doom to the usurper. “I AM COME to seek and to save that which was lost” (Lu. 19:10). This is unmistakable clarification of intent. This is elucidation par excellence! This is announcement without equal! The birth of Christ was the morning star of hope, the first rays of a golden daybreak for those whom Adam had plunged into universal darkness (Rom. 5:12). It was indeed “good tidings of great joy for all people.” But it was more, infinitely more, than an announced (continued on next page)
L it e r a t u r e both religious and secular characterize the advent of Christ as “the sweetest story ever told.” Yet no facile pen or eloquent tongue can set it forth so ably as the One who spake as never man spake. Let him tell His own wonderful story: “I AM COME” (John 10:10), Jesus revealed with au thoritative simplicity. This was the greatest announce ment ever emblazoned upon the face of history. Deity was manifest on earth in human form. The mighty Im manuel was with man. The connotation which scintil lates in this fact staggers the intellect, warms the heart and fills the soul with a hope that is steadfast and sure. “I AM COME . . . to do thy will, O God” (Heb. 10:7) is a further amplification. Herein is purpose glorified, endeavor hallowed, and example eternalized. The divine Issuer of commands Himself shows the way of obedience for all who would move into the orbit of the divine will. Nor is His statement emphasizing the display of duty, but rather the delight of doing, for the verse at hand indicates the all-consuming pleasure of Him who came “not to be ministered unto but to minister.” “I AM COME down to deliver” (Ex. 3:8). This in prophetic projection is the invincible purpose of His in carnation. The two golden facts so radiant in this revela tion are condescension and emancipation—His descent and deliverance. He saw the affliction and heard the cry of helpless captives, but in the greater expression of His
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DECEMBER, 1963
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