Who Am I?

On the Incarnation of the Word 25 – With Hands Spread Out

Posted: September 17th, 2009 | Author: | Filed under: Incarnation of the Word | Tags: , , , | 1 Comment »

One of the beautiful images Athanasius draws is in this section of his treatise.

Again, if the Lord’s death is the ransom of all, and by His death “the middle wall of partition” is broken down, and the calling of the nations is brought about, how would He have called us to Him, had He not been crucified? For it is only on the cross that a man dies with his hands spread out. Whence it was fitting for the Lord to bear this also and to spread out His hands, that with the one He might draw the ancient people, and with the other those from the Gentiles, and unite both in Himself. For this is what He Himself has said, signifying by what manner of death He was to ransom all: “I, when I am lifted up,” He saith, “shall draw all men unto Me.”

Jesus died with arms outstretched, drawing all humanity to himself. The King of the Jews is revealed as the Lord of all. In one hand he holds the Jewish people as he becomes the true Israel, the faithful Israel. In his other hand he holds the nations, those of us who did not even realize we needed a good Lord and a good God.


One Comment on “On the Incarnation of the Word 25 – With Hands Spread Out”

  1. 1 Scott Morizot said at 10:30 am on September 17th, 2009:

    New Faith & Food post: On the Incarnation of the Word 25 – With Hands Spread Out http://bit.ly/L1xcV