Believe and Speak--For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven

 Genesis 3:15

Job 19:25-27

John 3:13

John 6:33-40, 51

Acts 4:12

2 Corinthians 8:9

2 Corinthians 13:4

Ephesians 4:10

Philippians 2:5-8

1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

2 Corinthians 4:13

Genesis 3 is the beginning of the end.  Adam and Eve traded the truth of God for a lie, and we all inherited the consequences. Every one since the fall has been born into sin, and there's not a thing we can do about it.  Satan, the serpent, and sin will always torment us.  Genesis 3:15 is the beginning of a new beginning.  The serpent will give a few minor injuries compared to the fatal blow Jesus will serve him.  For us and for our salvation.  Job is one of the oldest books in the Bible, and he believed by faith that His Redeemer lives! Not will live one day, but lives already. Nicodemus, a Jewish teacher, knows "all there is to know" about the law and the prophets, but is struggling to recognize Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah.  Jesus tells him that if he missed the earthly hints, how will he begin to understand the heavenly things--Jesus Himself descended from heaven, the Son of Man, and there is no salvation in any one else.  He was rich, but became poor, so we could become rich.  He was powerful, but became weak in crucifixion, for our salvation. He has descended to us--for us and for our salvation--even though He had access to the highest heavens! He emptied Himself and became like us, humbling Himself as a servant, obedient to to something He didn't earn--death, the wages of sin.  For us and for our salvation.  He who is outside of time limited Himself to life and death, so that we might live with Him.  

When I was outlining this study by date, I was so excited that this line of the creed fell during Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year! A traditional, formal greeting during this holiday, which started tonight (9/25/2022) at 6pm and will end 9/27/2022 at 6pm, is translated "A good inscription and sealing in the Book of Life!" This holiday begins 10 days of high holy days, ending in Yom Kippur.  Rosh Hashanah is known for it's joyful shouting and blowing of the shofar. Everyone wears new clothes to the celebration.  

 I can't think of a more fitting day for us to study "For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven"!   Isaiah said "Behold I am doing a new thing..."  Jesus is the New Thing.  He removed our hearts of stone and gives us a new heart.  He gives us a new Spirit and moves us to serve Him.  The old promise was written in stone, but the New Promise is inscribed on our hearts.  Just like those who celebrate Rosh Hashanah, we get new clothes, too (Galatians 3:26-27).  Jesus, coming down from heaven for us and for our salvation is our New Year!  Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, we also believe and so we also speak.