In his book, The First Man, James Hansen chronicles Neil Armostrong's flight to the moon. The author explains how each astronaut was asked to fill out a report upon completion of the flight. The report listed how they traveled from Houston, Texas to Cape Kennedy, Floriday to the Moon, to the Pacific Ocean, to Hawaii, and returned to Houston, Texas. What a list of destinations!
There is another itinerary that outshines any trip ever taken. Imagine this itinerary of our Savior, Jesus Christ: Place of origin - the heavenly places; Initial destination - Bethlehem; Mode of travel - the virgin birth; Reason for travel - the redepmtion of sinners; Return destination - the right hand of the Father.
Philippians 2:5-11 eloquently describes Christ's coming to earth to provide our redemption. One Bible commentator considers this passage a hymn of priase to the glory of the Suffering Servant who became exalted for His obedience: "Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, . . . humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death. . . Therefore God also has highly exalted Him" (vv. 5-9). Our Lord's extraordinary itinerary of redemption should fill our hearts with gratitude and praise! God broke into human history to offer us the gift of eternal life.
Amen
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