Bodies and Souls of People

"We either love people or we control them.
There's little room for anything else.
And it's far easier to control them than to love them."
~ John Eldredge

Bodies and Souls of People

"Who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals?" ...
"You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; because You were slain, and You redeemed us to God by Your blood, out of every tribe and language and people and nation ..."
~ Revelation 5:2,9 (EMTV)

And the merchants of the earth will weep and will mourn ... for no one buys their cargo any more: cargo of gold and of silver ... and of bodies and souls of people.
~ Revelation 18:11-13 (ALT)

Though Jesus is divine Son of God, other reasons are given for Him Who is both Lion of Judah and Lamb of God to be worthy of opening the scroll which declares God's will.

You were slain ...
The Greek word sphazō means slaughter, as in sacrifice. The human Jesus did not use His sinless perfection to claim exemption from sin's death penalty, but in sacrifice for all the humans subjected to death, whom He loves.

The Son of God asked for no privilege above other people—how can we?

... and You redeemed us to God by Your blood ...
"Redemption" speaks of purchase. The world is filled with people who fulfill themselves by using the strength, sex, or ideas from bodies and souls of others like commodities. Jesus created bodies and souls of people for the highest of all purposes—a dwelling place for God Himself—and bought them with His blood to be used for nothing less.

Might we see bodies and souls of people as either temples of God, or having the potential for that noble purpose?

... out of every tribe and language and people and nation ...
In what group of people do you feel out of place? Is there a part of town you avoid because you're the "wrong" color? Do you fail to understand what certain people are talking about? No such place exists with Jesus. His love is unconditional and recognizes no such distinctions.

There is no room for exclusion among the people of Jesus.

One last thought, on that opening quote. Though He has purchased us for Himself, Jesus loves us rather than controls us, allowing us to freely return His love—or not.

Thank You, Jesus. Thank You. You alone are worthy of our highest praise, our bowed down worship, and all the expanse of love we can offer.

I appreciate hearing from you. Questions are welcome. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments or e-mail me—my address is
buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com.
Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Image source: arts.vic.gov.au