What Are You Looking For? Part 1: The Nicene Creed

For Our Sake

For our sake…

            This is the second time in the brief section on the life of Christ that we find the reason for it all.  For us.  That is the reason for everything he did.  Why he became a man.  He did it for us.  In doing so, he elevated our humanity.  It is proof of just how precious human life is to God.  He lovingly created us and breathed into us the breath of life.  When we blew it, he began instantly to reach out to us to draw us back to him.  Throughout all of human history we see the Lover yearning for his Beloved.  Throughout the entire Bible, we see the Hound of Heaven relentlessly pursuing mankind.  Not like a hunting hound intent on killing its prey, but more like the family dog who won’t leave you alone until you stop and pay attention to him.  Who is overjoyed to see you, even when you only went to the mail box.  Who wants nothing more than to simply be allowed to be where you are.

            That’s what God wants.  That’s why Jesus became a man.  He came because we understand humanity.  We learn through our senses.  What we can touch and hear and feel and see.  The best way God to show us himself was to be one of us.  They best way he could teach us just how precious we are to him was to be like us.  So he came to show us just how much he wants to be with us.  He simply wants to be where we are. 

            Jesus illustrates this in his parable of the Pearl of Great Price.  I grew up hearing this parable, but I never really understood it until recently.  (Thanks, Father Parks!).  If you are unfamiliar with it, the story goes as follows: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls.  When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”  (Matthew 13: 45-46 NABRE)

            God is the merchant.  He goes searching for us.  Think about that.  He searches for us.  He doesn’t just kind of glance around to see who he can find.  He diligently searches.  We are the pearl.  We are worth everything to him.  To have us with him, to have a relationship with us, he gave everything.  He gave all that he had to give.  The Father gave his Son.  The Son gave his life.  That’s the kind of passionate love God has for us.  For each one of us individually.  Not just collectively, “I love mankind”, but specifically, “I love you”.  He did it because he created us to be with him forever.  Because he wants us to be with him forever.  He yearns for us.  He yearns for you.  Because we couldn’t do it on our own, he did it.  “For our sake”.