Man of Contrasts

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!-Matthew 21:9

On that first Palm Sunday, one might have expectedJesus the King to enter Jerusalem on a mighty steed.But He chose instead a lowly donkey.Before He could come as a King to reign, He had tocome as a Savior to die.Throughout His life on earth, Jesus was a man ofstriking contrasts -reflecting bothHis genuine humanity and His full deity.

Someone once wrote this about Jesus:
"He who is the Bread of Life began His ministryhungering.
He who is the Water of Life ended His ministrythirsting.
Christ hungered as a man, yet fed thehungry as God.
He was weary, yet He is our rest.
He paid tribute, yet He is the King.
He was called a devil, but He cast out demons.
He prayed, yet He hears prayer.
He wept, and He dries our tears.
He was sold for 30 pieces of silver, yet He redeems sinners.
He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, yet He is theGood Shepherd.
He gave His life, and by dying He destroyed death.

"We would expect to find such contrasts in the life ofOne who was fully God and fully man. Jesus, who is thesovereign Lord of the universe, became a man toprovide for our redemption. But one day He will returnas King of kings.All glory to Jesus, begotten of God,The great I AM is He;Creator, sustainer -but wonder ofall,The Lamb of Calvary.The lowly carpenter of Nazareth was the mightyarchitect of the universe.