He Lowered He Listened He Lifted (09.27.25)

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Dear St. Paul family,

He Lowered  He Listened He Lifted

This week’s gospel is from Jn. 6:35-46 showing how He came down from heaven to raise us up to heaven.

“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” (Jn. 6:38-40)

Based on this passage, we see three awesome and loving actions from Christ:

1) He Lowered

• “I have come down from heaven”

  • Jesus is not just a prophet or teacher; He is God

  • Incarnation – took flesh, express image of the Father (icon)

  • Descending into our world out of love.

2) He Listened

• “Not to do My own will”

• “This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing”

  • He shows us perfect obedience and corrects  Adam’s disobedience

  • He submits

  • God’s will is clear: that none should be lost, but all should be raised up.

3) Union with Christ

• “that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

• Guarantee and reassurance of eternal life

• resurrection is not wishful thinking — it is guaranteed by Christ’s own power and promise (mentioned 3 x’s in Jn. 6)

• He has promised to raise us up and give us power of the Second Death, Sin and Satan.

Jesus is truly amazing. We see His great and awesome love when He lowered Himself and obeyed the Father and lifted up with Him. Let us also, lower ourselves to the level of others, listen to the Father at all times and lift others up.

Fr. James

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