Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Condescension of God

"Knowest thou the condescension of God?" (1 Nephi 11:16)

This is a question that an angel asked Nephi as he was having his questions answered about his father's dream.  After Lehi told his family about his dream of the tree of life, Nephi wanted to know more about it and to understand it better, so he asked questions, and was visited by an angel to answer them and help him understand.

My understanding of this phrase, the "Condescension of God", is simply that Jesus Christ, as an eternal, all-powerful being, came down to earth, clothed in a mortal body, and subjected Himself to the human condition. Sickness, sorrow, and temptation were all part of this existence.  This served two purposes. First, to provide an atonement for the rest of us, who could not make it back to heaven without it. This is something I am extremely grateful for, because it certainly isn't something I could do for myself. Second, to provide Him with experience such that He could truly give us the help we needed whenever we face trials and tribulations. The One who has power to create worlds, and so certainly has the ability to help me in my trials, can actually understand where I'm coming from.  We're not talking about some remote, uncaring, unfeeling being who condemns us for every mistake, but someone who understands the difficulty that we are faced with and wants to be there for us to help us.  Someone who also has a title of Advocate. Someone who is there to plead our case because 1) He understands us and our motivations, and 2) He atoned for us so He has every right to do so,

"I marvel that He would descend from His throne divine, to rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine."  

This line from the hymn "I Stand All Amazed" is really the essence of this post. Not only do I know He did it, but I'm blown away by that fact. That little old me has the attention of the Creator of the universe is almost unbelievable, but the fact is, I know He is there and cares about me and helps me along the way. 

I stand all amazed indeed.

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