“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” – 2 Corinthians 8:9
“God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” – Romans 5:5
Before Jesus became a man, he resided in Heaven free from the curse of this world, free from hunger, sickness, reviling, pain, and sorrow. He enjoyed perfect communion within the Trinity and had no lack. He went from being worshipped by myriads of angels to being betrayed by his disciples, despised by religious leaders, and mocked by the multitudes. He went from being a King in heaven sitting on a throne to humbly washing the feet of his disciples. While men were driving nails into his hands, he in his divine nature, was causing their hearts to beat, was giving them breath to breathe and was crying out “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” He gave up the riches of heaven. He left perfect comfort and died for us while we were still his enemies.
And why would he do this? Because of love. He became poor to make me rich. He left Heaven so that I could have Heaven. He took on pain so that I could escape the misery of Hell. He became my sin so that I could become his righteousness. What amazing love!And this very love has been poured into the hearts of all of his followers and he calls us to follow in his example. He calls us to leave the comforts of a culture that we know and that knows us to serve those who are living in darkness. Missions, for us, is one way to follow our Savior in loving others as we have been loved by Him.
