INTRODUCTION
Previously we looked at the calling of Isaiah. His calling was sure and there was a need. When the Lord asked, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then Isaiah answered, “Here am I; send me.” His response was strengthened by the power of resolve. Isaiah resolved to do the bidding of the Lord without hesitation.
Today we will look at the response of Jesus to the Father’s question before the creation, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Jesus’ response to the question is seen and felt today. Jesus’ resolve and submission to the will of the Father is the power of salvation.
WHEN WAS THE PLAN OF SALVATION FORMULATED?
Matthew 25:31–34 When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
INTRODUCTION
THE PLAN OF SALVATION
It is a glorious and appalling idea that the plan of salvation was “prepared…from the foundation of the world.” Glorious in the thought that the LORD made a way for His future creation to have an eternal fellowship with Him. Appalling that the plan of salvation would be needed for His future creation would willingly sin and break fellowship with Him.
The plan of salvation was devised before God spoke the creation into being. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit created an intentional plan for fallen man to have an eternal relationship with a Holy God. Jesus the Christ affirmed the plan in His High Priestly prayer when He said:
John 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
As well as Jesus’ teaching in Matthew which is the focus passage:
Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist confirmed that Jesus was the vehicle that would take fallen man to an eternal relationship with the Father when he said:
“…Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (Jn 1:29; 36)
THE LORD WAS NOT CAUGHT UNAWARE BY THE SIN OF MAN
When Adam and Eve fell under the influence of the serpent, it did not catch the Lord unaware. It was not a surprise for Him. The plan for fallen man was already in place when the Lord said:
Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
The eternality of the plan of salvation was spoken of by several Apostles:
Peter
1 Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
John
Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Paul
Romans 16:25 ¶ Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
Mark, the Gospel Writer
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
THE INCARNATION – HISTORICAL FACT
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Before time began, the Son of God was one with the Father. He chose to step out of heaven and take on the form of man, Emmanuel. He was all God and all man. He was born, grew and dwelt among men so the message of the Lord could be displayed to mankind.
Jesus’ life is captured in a letter written by the Apostle Paul. Paul was writing to the church at Philippi when he said:
Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
The Son of God did not cease to be God when He was born of a woman. He had two natures in perfect balance.
SEND ME!
When the “Three” met in eternity time past, the plan of salvation was created and implemented. The concept of the plan was capsulated in the writings of John’s Gospel.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
God Loved
Jesus was Submissive
The Holy Spirit took on a huge role.
In the throne room, the plan was made, and each member of the Trinity submitted Themselves to the Plan.
God so loved that He gave.
Jesus so loved that He was obedient. “Here Am I. Send Me!”
The Holy Spirit so loved that He was obedient. “Here Am I. Send Me!”
CONCLUSION
Before God spoke the creation into existence, the plan of Salvation was in place.
Before Adam and Eve sinned against God, the plan of Salvation was in place.
Before the world was judged with a worldwide flood, the plan of Salvation was in place.
Before God called Abraham to be the father of a nation, the plan of Salvation was in place.
Before the Law was given to Moses, the plan of Salvation was in place.
Before the prophets delivered the message of the Lord, the plan of Salvation was in place.
Before the Temple was built by Solomon, the plan of Salvation was in place.
Before the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to pronounce that she was chosen of God to have a son and His name would be Jesus, The plan of Salvation was in place.
Before Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem for the census from Caesar Augustus, the plan of Salvation was in place.
Before the angels announced the birth of the Christ child to the shepherds, the plan of Salvation was in place.
Before the shepherds gazed upon the face of Emmanuel, the plan of Salvation was in place.
Before Jesus performed His first miracle, the plan of Salvation was in place.
Before Jesus called the twelve, the plan of Salvation was in place.
Before Jesus died on the cross, the plan of Salvation was in place.
Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Jesus proclaims, “Here I Am, Send Me!”
This is the message of Advent.
