April 16 – LD 16, Day 1: The Third State of
Humiliation
by Rev
Philippians 2:8 “And
being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto
death, even the death of the cross.”
We have here the third state of humiliation, Jesus’
death. The catechism asks why it was necessary for Jesus to humble Himself even
unto death. This was the question that Jesus Himself faced in the garden.
As His disciples fell asleep and wandered away from Him, He found Himself in
anguish of heart. “If it be possible let this cup pass
from me” was His fervent repeated prayer. But it was not possible. And, God
sent an angel to strengthen Jesus.
If there could have been another way, there would
have been. But this was the way God ordained for the salvation of His
people. God’s justice demanded death for the satisfaction of sin. God
demands that justice runs its course. If sin is not punished by death, God’s
justice would be violated. That may not and could not be.
God’s Word is truth. God stated in Genesis 2:17 that
the one who would eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil would surely
die. The devil tried to encourage doubt about God’s Word. Adam and Eve
gave in to his temptation and fell into the realm of death both spiritually and
physically. The Second Adam had to enter into that darkness of death and
overcome it for His people. God did not make an exception even for His own Son.
His truth demanded the death of His beloved Son. This is how important truth is
to God! God is bound to His attributes. His Justice and Truth were satisfied by
the death of His Righteous Son.