My breakfast was a banana, muffin and mug of tea. (Sorry if I made you hungry.) As I was eating and as usual talking with the Lord – suddenly this phrase invaded my thoughts – “The pinnacle of God’s creation. The dictionary describes pinnacle as the highest point. So I began to think about creation and its pinnacle.
We know that in the beginning (Genesis 1:1) God created. We know that (John 1:3) all things were made by Him. We also know (Genesis 1:2) that the power of God’s spirit moved over the waters. Waters ? ! ? Where did water come from before the world, as we know it, existed? Were they left from the worlds (plural) which God had made (Hebrews 1:2) by His Son - - the worlds (plural) which we understand (Hebrews 11:3) were framed by God – the worlds which housed mastodons and dinosaurs?
Then my mind raced through the majestic wonders of the creation in our present world. I know there are more far beyond my understanding and knowledge but as I list some, see if you can pick out the pinnacle in the creation of Almighty God.
Natural laws such as gravity, physics, etc., galaxies - planets, stars, - scientists tell us there are billions of galaxies and trillions of stars. Let’s stop for a minute to ponder the loveliness of starlight, the mystery of moonlight and the warmth – brightness – energy of sunlight. How much we enjoy the beauty which separately adorns the changing seasons. Picture in your mind – Autumn – when God lights the candles in the trees. Cherubim, seraphim, angels, humans, animals, birds, fish, insects, mountains, oceans, rivers, plants including medicinal, fertile fields, barren deserts, rock-faced crags and sandy shores. God pronounced (Genesis 1:31) all creation very good.
But, there was a tremendous catastrophe in God’s perfect world. Come with me to Eden and we’ll see a man whose beauty is almost beyond description. He, that is Adam, was perfect in face, form and intelligence. God had given him dominion and he actually named every animal. He was clothed in the glorious light and splendour of God’s holiness and enjoyed intimate, very personal fellowship with God. Everything was so good - - - how could anything go wrong? Adam, by one fatal choice threw it all away and everything good became perverted. Peace became war – love became lust – generosity became greed – compassion became exploitation – protective jealousy became ego-centric insanity – spiritual minds were darkened – and we observe the extending tragedy everywhere and (Romans 5:14) death reigned. So (1 Corinthians 15:22) all would die.
God knew that it would require a sinless human sacrifice but (Psalms 14:1-3),( Romans 3:10-12) there was none that did good or sought God. We know that (John 3:16) God so loved the world but we have to dig much deeper to find out why. It all has to do with pinnacle. Have you figured out what that is yet?
This seems like a major if not impossible problem for God. He amazingly still loves humans and wants to redeem them but there is no sinless human in existence to be the essential atoning sacrifice.
God is immortal so He can’t die, If we didn’t know better we might think there was an end-of-everything - disaster.
Could we ever have greater proof that we can never have a problem which is bigger than God!
The second Person of the Triune Godhead said (Hebrews 10:7-9) animal sacrifices and offerings can never suffice. Prepare a human body for Me and I will carry out Your will.
So one night a world-changing event took place – but the greatest event since the beginning of creation happened so quietly – when –
GOD BECAME MAN ! ! ! !
If you selected yourself as the pinnacle, you are absolutely correct but don’t forget to include me and all the rest of the family of God.
Let’s look at a few of the reasons why redeemed humans are the pinnacle.
Our fingerprints (Job 37:7) God’s seal to show that we are unique individuals, personal and precious to the Lord and He desires a personal relationship with us.
Only humans can share (Colossians 3:4) the very eternal life of God and be partakers (2 Peter 1:4) of the Divine Nature.
Only humans can experience the mystery of godliness which is (Colossians 1:27) the indwelling Lord Jesus living out through us the glorious moral character of holy God.
Only humans have the promise that all the beauty and perfection of the Divine Image will be fully restored to us (1 John 3:2), when we see Jesus.
Only humans whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life have the guarantee of (Ephesians 2:19, Philippians 3:20) citizenship in Heaven. Of course there is much more but there’s just one more thing I want to mention. To me it is the greatest – most awe- inspiring - worship-producing PROOF that mankind is the pinnacle. It was something Jesus did after He had done everything.
Just think of all Jesus had accomplished. He had lived a sinless life of total obedience to His Father. He had made a full atonement for the sin-debt of the world. He had entered the heavenly Holy of Holies by His own precious Blood. He had done all – He had conquered – He had risen in radiant victory – He had taken on again all the attributes of Deity which He had temporarily laid aside. So – that was everything completed – wasn’t it? Jesus did one more thing and this is what grips my heart so deeply and fills me with wonder at the amazing LOVE of amazing GRACE.
Jesus was and is fully God – BUT – He kept His humanity and human body. The woman (Matthew 28:9) clung to His feet and worshipped Him. He showed the disciples (John 20:20) His hands and His side.
Forever we have a MAN in heaven because God made mankind the highest point, pinnacle of all creation.
In Gethsemane, Jesus looked into the CUP and was filled with amazement and horror and shrank from it in revulsion and anguish. But God said – I want You to drink all of it. So Jesus drank it - to the dregs – drank it dry.
Do we even begin to realize and ponder that if the MAN CHRIST JESUS had not emptied the CUP into Himself the MAN CHRIST JESUS could not have risen from the dead. We and our world would be entirely devoid of hope – then self-destruction and eternal doom.
Let us bathe our souls in holy fear, reverential awe and gratitude-filled wonder.
What is man that (Psalms 8:4-5) You are mindful of him?
- AND YET –
You have crowned him with glory and honour