“But each of you is given grace according to the measure of Christ’s
gift. Therefore it is said, “When he ascended on high he made
captivity itself captive; he gave gifts to his people” (When it says, “He
ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the
lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the same one who
ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.)
Ephesians 4:7-‐10
I have always cherished the simple reminder of this Ephesians
passage. We often preach about the glory of God in Christ. We lift
up the power and might of God in the resurrection and ascension of
Jesus, but we too often forget about the powerful message of God
“descending”, coming down to our level, entering into our struggles
and just “being with” us. Every parent can remember a time when
their little child was hurt; a smashed finger, a scraped knee, and
there was nothing more one could do than to descend to the ground
and scoop up a hurting child and hold them. But it was just what
was needed.
In Christ, God comes down to us, enters into our moment of pain
and struggle and holds us. The infinite Spirit wraps around our
finite flesh and comforts us with an embrace of eternal love. It is
just what was needed.
Gracious God, we pray for those who have fallen today, for
those bruised and hurt. May your Spirit and grace find a
channel through which to embrace them. And if that
channel needs to be us, may we be ready. In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
