The Creator and the Creature
The Creator and the Creature
Enmity was put between Satan and the Lord Jesus (Gen. 3:15). Whenever we contrast these two, the creature and the Creator, the wonders of our Lord Jesus shine out as in no other comparison.
This thought occurred to me while I was studying the meanings of some of the names of Satan. He is called "the accuser of the brethren," but our Lord is "the Mediator for the brethren"; Satan is called "the slanderer," but the Lord will find something to praise even in those who at the best are unprofitable servants. Satan is called "the wicked one," while our Lord is "the Holy One"; he is "a liar" and the Lord is called "the Truth." He is called "the old serpent," subtle and deceiving, where Christ is presented as "the Lamb without spot or blemish, guileless and atoning."
In the fourteenth chapter of Isaiah there is a picture of Satan which furnishes us with probably the greatest contrast in the Scripture. Satan said in his heart, "I will" (Isa. 14:13). When Christ came into the world He said, "Lo, I come . .. to do thy will, O God" (Heb. 10:7). In Satan's remark we have the simplest definition of sin, "I will." This phrase on any lip or in any heart is a tangent drawn away from the straight line of God's truth, the distance ever widening as the willful one persists in any will that is not the Father's.
The five "I wills" of Satan in this passage are a cry of greed. "I will ascend . . . I will exalt . . . I will sit . . . I will ascend . . . I will be like." All of these are covetousness, which is idolatry (Col. 3:5).
The last of the declarations of Satan was "I will be like the Most High." Why did he choose to be like that particular phase of God's nature? There are almost four hundred titles for our Lord in the Word of God. Each name or title reveals a different aspect of the Creator. It is significant, however, that Satan desired to be like the Most High.
When Abraham returned from the Battle of the Kings, he was met by Melchizedek who was priest "of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth." Through pride, Satan wished to exalt himself to that manifestation of God which seemed to carry with it authority in the realm over which he had been placed as prince, having been set in authority by God (Ezek. 28:14; Luke 4:6).
With Satan it is "I will go up; I will be more; I will seize; I will possess." Our Lord Jesus "being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Phil. 2:6-8). It is this contrast that so reveals the heart of our Lord. In Him there is no self-seeking. Though Satan cries, "I will go up," Christ cries, "I will go down." "Thou madest him a little lower than the angels" (Heb. 2:7). It is for this that we fall at His feet and praise God that He has once again been made high above the angels, and been given the Name that is above every name. Gladly we worship Him as Lord of all.
1. If Christ is the greatest example of humility how than should Christians treat their enemies?
2. If Christ did not complain about his lowly position, how than should we engage culture and success?
3. How does the humility of Jesus teach us about serving other people such as friends, family, co-workers and strangers?
