Bread of Life Devotional
“Concerning His Son who was descended from David according to the flesh” (Romans 1:3)
Jesus' flesh was descended from David's lineage, however according to the Spirit He was descended from God. In the flesh He had to press on all the way to the cross. In the flesh He suffered the insults, the scorning and the crucifixion. The bible teaches us that He is the one who comes down from heaven. Moreover, in the spirit, He is the Word of God who was from the beginning, who was with God and who also happens to be God. In other words, in the flesh Jesus is fully man and in the spirit is fully God, for God is spirit.
How can we apply this verse to our own lives? In my lineage there were high commissioners, commanders of the army and even two prime ministers. In the flesh I managed to spend all my money on alcohol and drugs. Also in the flesh I went from one broken relationship to another always seeking the acceptance of others. In the flesh several times I fought other people because of my pride. In the flesh I committed all kinds of sins and fell into all kinds of temptations. That was who I was in the flesh living a spiritless life without Christ. I was dead in my transgressions, led by the influences and trends of this world, being unaware of God and the consequences of my sinful life. Let’s look at Jesus for one moment in the flesh! In the flesh He was tempted in every way, yet without sin. In the flesh He rebuked Satan with the Word of God. In the flesh He fulfilled every prophecy thereby doing the will of God. In the flesh He walked in complete righteousness and holiness. He bore your sin and my sin and paid the penalty that appeased God’s wrath towards us.
God sent Jesus into this world “when the fullness of time had come” (Galatians 4:4). Furthermore Jesus was born of woman and also under the law. He came in the flesh and under the law to set us free from all the bondages of our own flesh. Through Christ we can also be delivered from the curse of the law. For through the law we are made real sinners but through Jesus Christ real sons of God.
What a contrast between Jesus in the flesh and Peter in the flesh? The former did God’s will until his very last breath before give himself on the cross. Peter (or anyone of us), on the other hand, was tempted little and fell much. We are called to imitate Christ when he walked in the flesh. How difficult it is in our fleshy sinful nature to do what’s right and good by God! However, what is impossible for us, it’s possible for God. When we trust and love Jesus Christ as the Lord and Saviour of our life He enters to make His dwelling in our hearts. Christ in us is the answer to this fleshy problem. He is the antidote and medicine against the corruption that is at work in our flesh that is always longing to sin. Upon the cross Christ overcame the flesh, the world, the devil, sin and death. Through faith in Him we can also overcome all those things. That’s how a Christian can be described as: “one who overcomes through Christ’s power and Spirit at work mightily in him”
Let’s pray together: Father I thank you for Jesus who is the path of righteousness and holiness that leads to salvation. I pray today that you would help me remember always that all power to overcome in this life already dwells in me in Jesus' Name! Amen.
