All Things Well

We have, in Jesus, a Savior who does all things well and this can be thrilling one moment and daunting the next.  Excellence is an aspect of his character and a trait of his conduct.  And nowhere is his refusal to cut corners or take shortcuts more apparent than in the manner of his incarnation.  Strip the fuzzy sentiment from the manger scene and what you see is a painstaking tableau.  Thousands of years of prophetic preparation bring us to the cusp of the great project of our redemption.  Pains are taken.  Jesus must be one of us to save us, but surely he could have arrived a full-grown man.  Surely he would have been as priceless a sacrifice after a half-an-hour of sinless human existence as he was after thirty some years of sinlessness.
But Jesus' character required of him more than even justice dared to require.  And so he came as an infant.  He endured all of our weakness.  He maintained his sinlessness over a full lifetime of provocation and temptation.
He not only did what none of us would have dared to hope for, but he did it well.  He did it in such a way as to silence his enemies and inspire his disciples.
The Savior who took such pains and showed such diligence in effecting our salvation applies the same excellence and care to the construction of our mansions in glory.  He will cut no corners and spare no expense in seeing his sheep to their appointed fold.
Being disciples of a painstaking Savior is hard though when we think that we might skip our personal mangers.

Call to Repentance

Luke 15:7  (page 1623)

Call to Worship

Psalm 111  (page 952)

OT Reading

Psalm 139:13-18  (page 974)

NT Reading

Luke 1:26-38  (page 1589)

Message

He Does All Things Well

Mark 7:37  (page 1565)