Saint Athanasius – Christ as man and not another form
Reading from the Prologue of Ohrid Jan 18 is the feast day of Saint Athanasius. They have a “reflection” sharing the thoughts of St. Athanasius.
The reflection revolves around the question “Why did the Son of God appear on earth in a human body and not in another form of creation?” This was a really interesting read.
They share Athanasius’ thoughts. He contemplates why Christ did not come “in some other better form of creation – for example, as the sun of the moon, or the stars or fire, or the wind —but just as man”. This is something I have never really contemplated though I have never questioned as a skeptic.
He goes on to say “…let them know that the Lord did not come to show Himself, but to heal and teach sufferers”. That is awesome. Christ did not come to bring glory to himself but to save us. He did God’s will and sacrificed himself because he loved us. Not because he demanded something first.
Athanasius goes on to say it was only necessary for him to come “but to serve for the benefit of the suffering ones, and to reveal Himself in such a way that this revelation would be bearable for the sufferers”. It is always humbling to remember that Christ as was the greatest example of a servant. Everything I do should be following his example. Then I will truly be serving God.
The reflection continues “Not one single creature was in error in the eyes of God, except man alone” he shares how the moon, the stars the wind and the water “remained as they were created”. Christ came to redeem what had fallen away from God’s created plan. Only people. Christ had to come as a human. We thought we could be better. We were saved. Glory to GOD!
Athanasius continues “…and the Honor belonging to God they transferred to devils and to men carved out of stone (idols)”. Many God’s are portrayed as idols in the Bible. It is interesting that people would expect Christ to come in the same way. It is not surprising that the way God revealed himself through Christ was done in a way that was not the prescribed or “desired” way.
Saint Athanasius finishes. “What, therefore, is so unbelievable in this, that the Logos appeared as a man to save mankind?” “Indeed, we also ask the unbelievers of our day: “In what form would you wish God to appear, if not as a man?””
Mark
Orthodox Dad in America
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