The Crowning Glory of Creation

Psalm 8 celebrates the majesty of God primarily seen in the great dignity that He has invested in humanity as the crowning glory of creation. The magnificence of the human creature is seen in the position that God has given him as ruler over all the works of His hands. The fall has not totally obliterated this high dignity but highlights the terrible tragedy of a creature made for such a noble calling now living in slavery to sin and under the judgement of death. A lofty view of humanity in the plan and purpose of God is essential to understand the great height from which we have fallen. Christ does not demean himself in sharing our humanity but rather reveals the Father's glory by becoming a true man 'crowned with glory and honour' who takes fully the burden of our death as one of us and for us. We need not be daunted by the vastness of creation nor demeaned by our sin when we consider the great care God has taken to make us pivotal in His purposes and the great honour that Christ has bestowed upon our humanity by redeeming it and restoring it to its true goal.