An Example Of A Roof

So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20b (NLT)

Yesterday, we talked about love that bears all things. The love in 1 Corinthians 13:7 is translated as a covering and we equated it to being a roof of love and protection over people. And the example we live by is Christ. He was the ultimate covering, wasn’t he? The unconditional love he gave is our example.

He is our shelter in a storm.

But you are a tower of refuge to the poor, O Lord,
a tower of refuge to the needy in distress.
You are a refuge from the storm
and a shelter from the heat. Isaiah 25:4

His love for us covered a multitude of sins. He gave his life so our sins would be covered by his sacrifice.

Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. 1 Peter 3:18

He gave of himself so we would know our worth.

Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. Isaiah 49:15-16

He is our safe place.

God is our safe place and our strength. He is always our help when we are in trouble. So we will not be afraid, even if the earth is shaken and the mountains fall into the center of the sea, and even if its waters go wild with storm and the mountains shake with its action. Psalm 46:1-3 (NLV)

Decisions Made A Long Time Ago

Still, it’s what God had in mind all along,
    to crush him with pain.
The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin
    so that he’d see life come from it—life, life, and more life.
    And God’s plan will deeply prosper through him.
Out of that terrible travail of soul,
    he’ll see that it’s worth it and be glad he did it.
Through what he experienced, my righteous one, my servant,
    will make many “righteous ones,”
    as he himself carries the burden of their sins.
Therefore I’ll reward him extravagantly—
    the best of everything, the highest honors—
Because he looked death in the face and didn’t flinch,
    because he embraced the company of the lowest.
He took on his own shoulders the sin of the many,
    he took up the cause of all the black sheep. Isaiah 53:10-12 (MSG)

Jesus made the decision to face a non-people pleasing, struggle for your mission life. He made the decision to face death.....for us. That decision started with the choice to come here as a baby. The birth of Christ, which we celebrate at this time of year, was one of many decisions that he made to save us. And this is why we celebrate.

Know of a Good Mediator?

For there is one God, and there is one who brings God and human beings together, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5 (GNT)

A mediator is a person who acts as an intervening agency. They are the middle person between two people who are in conflict. If you ever need a mediator, you want someone who understands your situation and the laws around it so they can provide a resolution that works for both parties. Jesus is our mediator. What are his qualifications? How is he qualified to understand us so that he can represent us to God? In his life here on earth he was:

• Uneducated - he didn't have a college degree
• Poor - he lived in poverty his entire life. He didn't own anything.
• Walked everywhere he went
• Lived each day facing temptation
• Faced criticism and harassment
• He was what we would call a rebel. He didn't follow the status quo.
• He worked long hours - often from dawn to dusk
• Sometimes his commute took days to go from one place to the next
• People were always trying to get something from him
• Sometimes, people thought he was crazy
• He was beaten, spit at and mocked
• He had to face and overcome an incredibly hard situation - and for a time, didn't want to
• He was killed for his cause

I think it is safe to say that he understands our situation. He lived a life like ours (only I would venture to say his was harder). He also understands God. He knew him better than anyone. He understood what was required on the part of justice. He understood that if he didn't walk this walk, live this life, that God's righteousness would be at question. He knew what each side needed.

He is the perfect mediator. You see, he is still mediating. He is still representing us to God. He is our advocate. The gift wasn't just in his death and resurrection. It is in the ongoing intercession on our behalf. It is the gift that keeps on giving, day after day, year after year, generation after generation.

Christ was without sin, but for our sake God made him share our sin in order that in union with him we might share the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (GNT)