A HIGHWAY FOR OUR GOD - PART 4

SATURDAY 09 MARCH 2024

Beloved, John the Baptist has prepared a highway for our Sovereign God by capturing the hearts of men with the teachings of His admonishment and good news, through the inner convictions of the Spirit. Every valley had been raised up, and every mountain and hill made low, both which also imply that the high and proud thoughts are brought down.

Every hinderance is removed; the crooked and rugged places are now made straight; godly desires and good fruit have now been planted by this forerunner, so that all may be ready for God's perfect will to be revealed on earth, thereby leading to His eternal purpose for mankind, which also involves preparing the chosen for His heavenly Kingdom.

Reference: Isaiah 40:3-5 New International Version (NIV)

"A voice of one calling: In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken."

The next and last segment to be expounded by my humble self is:

And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

The first line which reads, "And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together" implies that an eternal Sovereign will shine forth on earth and His glory will be seen by collective humanity. Got it?

John 1:14 reads, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" (NIV). Christ's glory is seen and experienced, as He became flesh and made His dwelling among us. In Pauline gospel, he emphasized the truth that the Son of God was a hidden mystery, but is now made known. Colossians 1:26 reads, "the mystery was hidden for ages and generations but now revealed."

In Galatians 4:4-5, while discussing about heirs of the Kingdom, Paul pointed out how Christ brought the distinction between law and grace, through the revelation of His Person on earth. It reads, "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons" (ESV).

Beloved, the glory of the Lord has been revealed at the fullness of time. The radiance of God's glory, namely Christ Jesus, was born of a woman, under the regulations of the law, so that He might redeem and liberate those who were under the law, and as many as they are, who believe in Christ, might be adopted as sons - God's own children with all rights as fully grown members of God's eternal family.

Now watch this: According to Pauline epistolary dictates in the book of Galatians, what did the Son of God come to do? Having been born of a woman, under the regulations of the law, He came to redeem and liberate those who were under the law. This makes a significant reference to part 2 of this topic where I stated that Jesus arrived in the order of Melchizedek, as a perfect method of reconciling with God (Hebrews 7). He exerts a perfect Priesthood, far superior to the priesthood found in the sons of Levi, who communicated God's law to the people.

Simply put, Christ is a new High Priest in accordance with the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron, which denotes those who were under the regulations of the law. So Jesus reflects a new, perfect and surest way of relating to God, and when there is a change in the priesthood there must be a corresponding change in the law as well, which is now the law and power of the life-giving Spirit (see Romans 8:1-2 NIV).

Prominently and permanently, Christ Jesus holds the office of Great high Priest because He lives His resurrected life in heaven and forever (see Hebrews 4:14 NIV). Stay tuned for part 5, for the conclusive exposition of the second line of this segment: For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - John 14:6; Ephesians 3:9; Hebrews 1:3; 1 John 1:2.

Guided Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I thank you for bringing to light for everyone on earth, the plan of your mystery hidden for ages, namely Christ, who created all things, and is now seated at the right hand of your Majesty on high, exalted far above all things. I'm forever grateful that He lives in me as the hope of eternal glory, and to your holy name be the glory and honour, in Jesus' Name, Amen.