Breathtaking. I am one who appreciates nature and good performances. But I must admit it is rare for me to see something and exclaim “That was breathtaking!” One such instance, that was indeed breathtaking occurred when I saw the Grand Canyon. I was transfixed. I just could not imagine something with such color, depth, perspective, and awesome nature. I could not stop gazing at it.
In our Monday morning devotions this week, we paused to contemplate Philippians 2:6. There was moment in time when Jesus became human. Christ did not clutch his place in heaven as something to be held onto, but let go, and became human.
This is more than breathtaking and more than jaw dropping. I cannot conceive what was involved in this movement from heaven to earth. It almost defies imagination and words. We stopped the study for a few moments to contemplate that “The Word became flesh and lived among us” (John 1:14)
With those words and with this truth of Christ’s willingness to be human, we are encouraged to take pause — to let the world around us stop for a moment and look at the willingness of Jesus to let go of heaven. And take hold of earth. And the cross.
When I saw the Grand Canyon, I had to stop. I just turned off my brain, and focused and saw what was before me. I was amazed and transported. Dear friends, Jesus “did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped/held onto.” (Phil 2:6) May we stop for a moment — and only see those words and this truth. We could say that Jesus’ movement from heaven to earth is a show stopper, or breathtaking, or jaw dropping or mind blowing. It is that but so much more than that. And what may leave us out of breath is that the motivation for this indescribable sacrifice was love. Love for you and me.
Pause. Contemplate. Stop for a moment. Amazing love, how can it be!
