There are many adjectives that have been used to describe Jesus. When I was young, there was a song that was sung, that described the Lord as being: “Gentle Jesus, meek and mild.” The Bible gives a profound description of the phenomenal kindness of our Savior:
Hebrews 7:26
For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
Tired of Your Wicked Self? (Try Jesus!)
English: Resurrection of Christ (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
One day several years ago I read today’s verse and was shocked at the depth of purity and love it portrayed. I made a mantra of the attributes of Jesus: “Holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, made higher than the Heavens.” No mere human can claim the characteristic of being undefiled and harmless, for all humanity is born with a heart that is dark and capable great wickedness. Jeremiah 19:9 says: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
The attributes of being holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and higher than the Heavens, are what we see illustrated in the story of the woman taken in adultery. We also see just how different Jesus was and is from what we know and experience as “ordinary people” or “folk.” The story of the woman taken in adultery shows just how conniving and vicious ordinary people are. (Review this account in my post titled “Jesus & the Twisted Sistah”)
Some philosophers believe that all humans are born innocent, and that their minds and souls are a “tabula rasa” or clean slate that society and circumstance write upon for good or evil. Religious people often think that we stay innocent or free of the guilt of sin until we reach the age of accountability. This is a cornerstone belief of Mormonism. Related to this idea is the sociological concept of “simple folk.” Simple folk are assumed pure because they are remote from corrupting influences of modern civilization. The Bible disagrees with both views. According to the Bible, we are born evil. Our souls are tainted regardless of the kind of society we live in. Civility and social status can’t confer righteousness. Romans 3: 23 & 24 states clearly:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Given that we are inherently evil, and that only God is truly good, we can only be free of the taint of sin by accepting the atonement offered to us freely by Jesus. Only through Christ can we ever hope to become holy, harmless, and undefiled. In these weeks before Easter, let all who read this post repent of their sins and reflect on what it really means to be like Jesus. Let us be determined to be “separate” from sinners (Whatever your sin is: Give it up!). Study your Bible and pray every day. Pray to the Lord for guidance in all things and give Him the glory for all that you have. Praise Him in the morning! Praise Him in the afternoon! Praise Him in the midnight hour! He alone is worthy of praise. Hallelujah!!
May these words educate and comfort you today. Until we meet again: “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10)
Your friend in Christ,
– Verneda
Twitter handle: @vlights
© 2013 Verneda Lights. All Rights Reserved.
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