Jesus left Heaven for a mission. He had a plan before the foundation of the world. He loved His creation so much that He gave mankind free will and mankind chose to rebel. Consequently, sin and death entered creation and all are born with that sinful, rebellious nature after the image of Adam, the first man. When Jesus left the splendor and glory of Heaven to fulfill His plan to redeem His creation and to limit Himself to a time, a place and a human body, what were His parting words? Did He speak of loss? Did He speak of sorrow? Did He speak of an unwilling heart? Why did the angels sing and glorify God at the birth of Jesus?

The Bible records what would be those parting words some 1,000 years before they were spoken.

Psalm 40:

⁵Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

⁶Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.

⁷Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,

⁸I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

Delight = to have great pleasure, enjoyment, satisfaction

What do His words mean to you?

The Bible expounds on the meaning of those words some 65 years after they were spoken.

Hebrews 10:

⁴For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

₅Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

⁶In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.

⁷Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

⁸Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;

⁹Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

¹⁰By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

What do His words mean to you?

What is the significance of Jesus offering His body for you?

What does it mean to you to be sanctified, set apart for His service?

Hark the Herald Angels Sing – Charles Wesley

Christ, by highest Heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord:
Late in time behold Him come, Offspring of a Virgin’s womb!

Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see, Hail the incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with men to appear, Jesus! Our Immanuel!

Hark! the Herald Angels Sing Glory to the new-born King.

Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings.

Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die;
Born to raise the sons of earth; Born to give them second birth.

Hark! the Herald Angels Sing Glory to the new-born King.

Come, Desire of nations, come, Fix in us Thy humble home;
Rise, the woman’s conquering seed, Bruise in us the serpent’s head.

Adam’s likeness now efface; Stamp Thine image in its place.
Second Adam from above, Reinstate us in Thy love.

Hark! the Herald Angels Sing Glory to the new-born King.

Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti