Junior Ganymede
Servants to folly, creation, and the Lord JESUS CHRIST. We endeavor to give satisfaction

Conquering All

September 21st, 2020 by G.

Christ atoned for our sins because He loved us, each of us.  That would have been motive by itself and is the motive we talk about.  Less frequently we mention His motive of obedience.

But there are other motives.

I am Alpha and Omega, Christ the Lord; yea, even I am he, the beginning and the end, the Redeemer of the world.

I, having accomplished and finished the will of him whose I am, even the Father, concerning me—having done this that I might subdue all things unto myself

Retaining all power, even to the destroying of Satan and his works at the end of the world, and the last great day of judgment, which I shall pass upon the inhabitants thereof, judging every man according to his works and the deeds which he hath done.

This topic is delicate to write about. There is something true that I have to say. But it runs counter to our normal way of thinking and I risk devolving into shock value.

Here goes.

In part, Christ’s atonement was an assertion of mastery. It was and is the ultimate claim to kingship.

It sounds paradoxical to say that the atonement was done as an act of pure and selfless love and also as a man claiming leadership, dominion, or ownership over all. But that paradox appears to be true. Paradox is how a finite mind expresses infinite truths.

He is loving and tender. He is also the Man who possesses almighty power (vv. 14, 20) and will tell you so.

Comments (2)
Filed under: Deseret Review | Tags: ,
September 21st, 2020 06:26:36
2 comments

Ugly Mahana
September 21, 2020

I have a four year-old who does not like to listen, and who does like to act out. There have been occasions when I have forcefully asserted control. It is interesting to me that, in every instance, my boy has responded not only with better behavior, but with genuine tenderness. He appreciates knowing where firm boundaries are, and knowing that I am _in charge_.

If there were any threat to his safety posed by an outside force, and I could utterly destroy it, I would do all that I could to eliminate the threat.

I would never take away my boy’s agency – as if I could! And I look forward to seeing the man that boy will become.

Which is to say, this insight makes intuitive sense, even if it appears to co rain a contradiction. Like so many things, much is simplified by recognizing that God is our Father.


Sute
September 21, 2020

“having done this that I might subdue all things unto myself”

Br. Brigham and the Prophet Joseph would suggest that the reason Christ could confidently make such an assertion is that he knew from prior example the way to descend below all things in order to rise above them. For where was there ever a father without first being a son? In Adam all die and in Christ all are made alive. The pattern extends into eternity in both directions.

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