There are concept and theologies that are needful of reverence and trembling because they deal with the humanness of God. They deal with the reality that God became as one of us. He came in human form, exposed himself to the elements, lived within the earthly limits, and even embraced death on a cross. Essentials of his humanity have been overlooked and demeaned due to an undisclosed fear in the Christian circles. This fear is grounded because the scripture itself says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. But one must also assume that the depth of love displayed in God’s human nature is as well worthy of seeking out. In this arena we do not throw off the fear of the Lord, but wholly embrace it. We embrace areas of God that are holy and therefore tremble at His word. And this, my beloved, is in the realm of the state of undress of the Son of Man. The moments in scripture where the Lord disrobed Himself and proved that He indeed took on flesh. He disrobed before He washed the feet of the disciples. He pointed out His side to Thomas to prove that He had overcome death. And my dear friends He even fully exposed Himself on the cross. The loincloth idol will be torn down because it is an assault to the brilliant truth that God went to the full extent of His love to show His mercy and great judgment. God is not a God far off, but acquainted with our frame. Not to make it any less cheap, but when the holy baby came into the world He was not covered in a supernatural blanket of secrecy. He was fully bare before His mother and she had to ponder this in her heart. How could the God of the universe in all His holiness come in such a way? Truly the mystery of Godliness is great.
1 Tim 3:16
16 Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
NIV
What depth have we forsaken and what intimacy have we avoided? Even in the garden Adam and Eve walked naked in the garden. They walked in the cool of the day with their Lord, fully innocent and fully pleased with such a state. Now due to our sinfulness coverings are given us, but let one consider that God values the creation He has made. Let us consider that God is fully aware of our frailty, but still knew what He was doing when He created us in His own image. He knew there were parts of us that were so delicate and treasured that the realization that He would come as a man would convince us of His love and compassion. The flesh profits nothing, but the realization that God was humble enough to disrobe himself before mere men leaves one astounded. It is in His humility and great desire to reveal His nature that one finds the true treasure of unveiling. Not in the flesh itself, but the understanding that God in all His fullness did truly become one of us. This, my beloved, should make you thirsty for understanding and insight. Why would He?
Washing The Feet
The words echo through the house and my mind’s eye. Never, Lord will you wash my feet. Quickly the defenses raise their strength. All the reasons Peter made such a proclamation are often validated within my spirit. He saw the dirt on his arms and the dirt on his feet. He knew that such an act of servant hood made God human. It took Peter’s idea of the magnificent God and boiled Him down to a tangible image. A picture Peter had been well aware of. The picture was of a slave, the refuse of the world.
John 13:3-5
3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
NIV
Jesus knew who He was in the Father. He knew all power was given Him, so He did the unthinkable. He did the one authoritative act that His disciples would not allow Him to do. He undressed Himself and put a cloth around His waist. He became a little exposed and took on the form of a servant. God in all His majesty and power chose the correct form. He was not trying to teach them a cute parable about serving. Although He does mention serving later this still was no parable. He wasn’t speaking of a secret story. He was near in all His bareness. He came close to the disciples and served. Any of you who desire to be great must be a servant. Servants in Old Testament’s time didn’t just wash the feet. They had an identifying clothing style. God was being very clear to show Himself strong in weakness. His muscles fully exposed as He scrubbed the dirt and grime off the children’s feet. I see His eyes staring down as a sign of subservient love. This is the mystery of Godliness my friends. We don’t know the position of His head. We don’t know the tone of His voice. Oh, the ocean of revelation that has yet to be tapped.
This undisclosed ocean must be aligned with the gospel and God so subtly allows us to find the wealth of His humanity. Thomas touched the very cuts in his side and wrist. This amazes the soul. Thomas is a venture that is often ridiculed. Doubting Thomas the preachers dictate to his character. But, how many of those judging preachers dismiss the revelation and unveiling of Jesus’s flesh. God came before Thomas in a resurrected state just to prove to him His love for this disciple. “I have not lost one of them that you gave me,” God echoes. God took His hand and pulled back His robe and exposed the spear’s wound. Another treasure worth searching out concerns the many other stripes the Lord received. Did the Lord heal of these afflications or is His whole cross bearing experience still exemplified in His current bodily form? Woe is me if this is so. To ever behold the slain lamb would have many falling at His thrown calling holy. He is worthy of every treasured gift stored up in heaven. Wealth, honor, power, wisdom, and strength are due Him.
Another worthy moment of God encountering a human is in Mary at the tomb. Mary clung to Jesus. She gripped His resurrected body. She was near Him. Jesus quickly begged her not to cling. But, for a moment the Father allowed a closeness to be upheld. Often we sing of embracing Jesus. I don’t think we catch the full weight of the matter. Hands upon the small of His back. Our head resting on His chest to hear His heart beat. God in human form grasped by a human. This is life eternal to know Him. No wonder Mary was sent to witness. She touched Him.
Again we have yet another desire of encounter. The woman with the issue of blood didn’t just reach out for some supernatural encounter. She came in direct contact with the Son of Man. She chose to humble herself and just touch His robe. This is what made Jesus turn. More than a robe my dear one, but an acknowledgement of His tender voice and conversation was granted this possessor of such faith. God goes beyond our expectation.
Now to the heart of the matter. A loincloth idol set up in our churches. I am actually very fervent about not drawing pictures of my Lord. I have fallen into tolerance of it, but at the heart of the issue I hold to the commandment not to make a form, image, or idol of the God man. This is because it dulls our wisdom to seek. These images take the Godhead and make Him stationary and unable to speak. This is evil and ridiculed by every fiber in me. We can’t perceive what the apostle saw and try to depict it on a banner or on a canvas. Especially when the reality of the cross is full nudity. We should be on our knees in repentance if we think that such a discloser is worthy of man’s brush. We are incomplete with the blindness of our eyes. Though are faith is more worthy and given a blessing outside of sight one can acknowledge that our souls feel emptiness until we see Him as He really is. Fully God and fully man.
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