Why Not Just Appear?

FAQ: OK, then why this charade of God in human flesh to communicate His word to us? Why not just appear?

Picture the Creator of the universe asking Himself the following: "How can I best communicate with my creation? Should I simply show up in my own magnificent glory, and require that all bow before me? If I indeed did this, how in the world could they possibly relate to me? I appeared before men in a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day to guide a lost nation to a land promised to their fathers, and yet they fell from their belief. They only followed me out of fear of their own lives, not out of their love for me. No, that is not the way. I will appear before them as a man not unlike themselves. He will be tempted in all the ways they are tempted, yet without sin. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). He will teach them My ways because I will be in Him and He will be in Me. He will show them that it is possible to have a personal relationship with Me through the life that I freely give. I have sent myself in Jesus Christ to rescue My creation from the path of destruction." For God so loved the world, that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

Imagine a colony of ants. The worker ants are out scavenging for food fit for a queen. Imagine yourself above the ants as an "ant loving" human who would rather have the entire colony move into your personally designed ant farm. You see the trail of ants on its quest heading directly for the ant bait, which is destined to return to the nest and ultimately the queen, causing death and destruction to the entire colony. But you know a better way, a way that they can be saved from death and destruction. But how are you going to communicate that to them? You are so much larger. You speak a different language. There is no way for you to come down to their level and redirect them to your ant farm. But, you come upon an idea, "What if I was to become an ant? Then I would be able to relate to the ants, communicate with the ants, and warn the ants of the impending disaster ahead. I could tell them that I have a better way that leads them from death unto life, and all they have to do is believe in my plan, follow me, and turn from their former path!"

In essence, this is what God did in sending His son, Jesus Christ, to come into our lives, knock on the door of our hearts, lead us from the path of destruction, and point us towards the path of life.

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