Fireworks

Last night at Redefine we had a fun time watching a firework display and lighting sparklers in the cold and crips air of early winter.

We then went inside to warm up as we continued our series ‘Jesus is..’ This week we looked at Jesus is – human. The humanity of Jesus. “Since the children have flesh and blood, he (Jesus) too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” – Hebrews 2:14-15

We started off the study session with a True or False game about some scientific facts about the human body that boggle the mind. Such as how much saliva your body produces in your lifetime and whether having lots of dreams during the night denotes a higher or lower IQ?!?! It was fun, fascinating and at time a bit gross.

We then settle down to our Bible study looking at Jesus is human, and in particular tackling the whole issue of ‘why’ Jesus had to be born as a human. “For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” – Romans 8:3-4.

Jesus was God in the flesh coming to pay the price for our sins; and unlike in the song ‘Human‘ where there is an acknowledgement of the fallen, imperfect state of humanity as a whole; though he, Jesus, was fully human, he did not sin. So he could be the perfect sacrifice for our sins and meet the requirements of the law and restore us back to relationship with God.

Wow!

But, still why come as a baby to die for us? Why?

Because He thought we were worth it (see Romans 5) A bit like in Katy Perry’s song lyrics for ‘Fireworks’, “You don’t have to feel like a waste of space
You’re original, cannot be replaced…you’re a firework. Come on show ’em what your worth.” God has placed immense value upon every human life, and has made a way for us to be in relationship with him; “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:19-25

He want those of us that have come into relationship with him; to shine. To be like fireworks that light up the darkness and point the way to him.

Be blessed and shine!