Paradox 

Quotes 

Poetry 

Baptism of the Lord C, 2013 - Dcn. Bill O'Donnell
 

The Paradox of God

•      He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.

•      The loftiest and most exalted became the embodiment of humility and simplicity.

•      The richest became the poorest that the poor might become rich.

•      He came out of dry ground to become a fruitful vine.

•      He feasted with publicans and sinners that they might not starve in their sin.

•      He starved for 40 days in the wilderness that we might feast on the impeccable Bread of Life.

•      He taught us to love our enemies, to do good to those who treat us badly.

•      He emptied Himself that we might be filled.

•      Mighty conquerors with vast armies and terrible weapons have sought in vain to subdue the world—He conquered a vast kingdom with simple weapons of agape.

•      The Lion became the Lamb that sheep might become shepherds.

•      His heart was broken that He might bind up the broken-hearted.

•      - His body was crushed that we might be made whole.

•      We come into the world to live; He came to die.

•      The purest One was called illegitimate, blasphemer, winebibber, glutton and impostor by guilty sinners.

•      The Lord of lords became a lowly servant to serve the pitiful needs of mankind.

•      The Man of Sorrows acquainted with the depths of grief became the joy of the world.

•      He was rejected that we might be accepted.

•      He was bruised that we may be healed.

•      He was condemned that we might be justified.

•      He was judged that we would not be judged.

•      He was deserted for a time by the Father that we might find access to the Father.

•      He died as the innocent One that the guilty might be declared innocent.

•      By grasping life we die; through death we find life.

•      Glory to the Lamb, the Paradox of God.

Dr. Anthony Fortosis, quoted in Prokope, November/December, 1992, p. 4

10,000 sermon illustrations. 2000 (electronic ed.). Biblical Studies Press: Dallas