Conspicuous Glory

"But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone."

Hebrews 2:9

I fear too often we take for granted the grace of God. The very thought that Christ could love us so much that He would willingly lay down His Heavenly crown and take up the humiliating cross should move us to sorrowful repentance and glorious praise. Repent to the Lord, for He who knew no sin became sin for us that we might become His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). Praise the Lord, for the obedience that caused His suffering raised Him to glory. "The crown of thorns and the purple robe, the mocking knee of the Roman soldier and the taunting scoff of the Jewish priest, though they called forth the grace, did not tarnish the glory of our suffering Lord. His holy obedience to his Father's will in drinking the bitter cup, his meek dignity amid the worst of insults, and his calm resignation to all the weight of suffering which God or man laid upon him, all shone forth the more conspicuously under every attempt to dishonor him." -- J. C. Philpot