Going Down?
Scripture Focus:
"You made Him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned Him with glory and honor..." Hebrews 2:7 (ESV)
While attending the International Assembly, one challenge almost always occurs: getting back to our hotel room after a powerful evening service. With hundreds of attendees crowding the lobby, waiting for an elevator going up can feel impossible. So, many of us make a strategic choice; we step onto an elevator that is going down to the basement first. We endure a temporary delay and ride to the lowest level just to secure a spot that will ultimately carry us to a higher, preferred floor. The inconvenience of going down is brief, but the result is guaranteed: access to the place prepared for us.
The elevator ride is a powerful picture of the Gospel. Jesus made a conscious, loving decision to "go down." He voluntarily stepped out of the unimaginable glory of heaven and condescended into our human story. As Hebrews 2 reminds us, He was made lower than the angels for a little while subjecting Himself to human flesh, limitations, sorrow, and ultimately death so that He could conquer sin, death, and the grave. He went down to the lowest depths so He could lift us up as His brothers and sisters to share in His eternal glory.
He Descended to Experience Your Struggle
You might feel that no one truly comprehends the angst, heavy circumstances, or terrible pain you are walking through right now. But Christ fully understands. By stepping into human flesh, He walked in your shoes so He could walk with you in your trial. He was tempted and tested in every way as we are, yet without sin. He fully gets it, and you are not alone in the fire or uncomfortable life space; He is in it with you.
The Temporary Drop Precedes Your Eternal Rise
Fixing your eyes on the basement makes the journey feel unbearable. When trials feel overwhelming, it is easy to reflect on the discomfort of the descent. But Christ’s descent was temporary; His crowning is eternal and it is glorious. Take a moment today to shift your gaze off the weight of your immediate circumstances and fix your eyes on Him. Looking to Jesus reminds us that our present pain is not our permanent floor.
Restoration is Coming, Hold Your Ground
1 John 3:2 reminds us, "It does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." By entering human flesh and conquering the grave, Jesus demonstrated God’s ultimate goal: to restore us fully to His original place prepared for us. Hebrews serves as a strong warning and encouragement not to throw away your confidence. Keep holding on because God sees your endurance, and He faithfully rewards those who remain steadfast. He promises, “Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me” (Revelation 22:12, ESV).
Thought for the Day:
Your current season of lower ground is not your final destination. Just as Jesus descended before being crowned with glory and honor, your temporary trial is paving the way for eternal victory. Fix your eyes on Christ, keep the faith, and trust the One who is riding with you in life’s elevation; He is taking you all the way to the top.
Blessings,
Pastor Zhivago Adderley
"You made Him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned Him with glory and honor..." Hebrews 2:7 (ESV)
While attending the International Assembly, one challenge almost always occurs: getting back to our hotel room after a powerful evening service. With hundreds of attendees crowding the lobby, waiting for an elevator going up can feel impossible. So, many of us make a strategic choice; we step onto an elevator that is going down to the basement first. We endure a temporary delay and ride to the lowest level just to secure a spot that will ultimately carry us to a higher, preferred floor. The inconvenience of going down is brief, but the result is guaranteed: access to the place prepared for us.
The elevator ride is a powerful picture of the Gospel. Jesus made a conscious, loving decision to "go down." He voluntarily stepped out of the unimaginable glory of heaven and condescended into our human story. As Hebrews 2 reminds us, He was made lower than the angels for a little while subjecting Himself to human flesh, limitations, sorrow, and ultimately death so that He could conquer sin, death, and the grave. He went down to the lowest depths so He could lift us up as His brothers and sisters to share in His eternal glory.
He Descended to Experience Your Struggle
You might feel that no one truly comprehends the angst, heavy circumstances, or terrible pain you are walking through right now. But Christ fully understands. By stepping into human flesh, He walked in your shoes so He could walk with you in your trial. He was tempted and tested in every way as we are, yet without sin. He fully gets it, and you are not alone in the fire or uncomfortable life space; He is in it with you.
The Temporary Drop Precedes Your Eternal Rise
Fixing your eyes on the basement makes the journey feel unbearable. When trials feel overwhelming, it is easy to reflect on the discomfort of the descent. But Christ’s descent was temporary; His crowning is eternal and it is glorious. Take a moment today to shift your gaze off the weight of your immediate circumstances and fix your eyes on Him. Looking to Jesus reminds us that our present pain is not our permanent floor.
Restoration is Coming, Hold Your Ground
1 John 3:2 reminds us, "It does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." By entering human flesh and conquering the grave, Jesus demonstrated God’s ultimate goal: to restore us fully to His original place prepared for us. Hebrews serves as a strong warning and encouragement not to throw away your confidence. Keep holding on because God sees your endurance, and He faithfully rewards those who remain steadfast. He promises, “Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me” (Revelation 22:12, ESV).
Thought for the Day:
Your current season of lower ground is not your final destination. Just as Jesus descended before being crowned with glory and honor, your temporary trial is paving the way for eternal victory. Fix your eyes on Christ, keep the faith, and trust the One who is riding with you in life’s elevation; He is taking you all the way to the top.
Blessings,
Pastor Zhivago Adderley
Recent
Archive
2026
January
February
March
May
June
August
2025
Categories
no categories
No Comments