As a man of flesh and blood capable of feeling pain and rejection, Jesus embraced the death of the cross. His coming as a baby was merely a launching pad for the plan of redemption and salvation.
When the story of Christmas begins and ends with Shepherds, angels, animals, and manger scenes it comes up short. Those make for wonderful theatrics and story lines. But it is so much more.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
The light of the world came into the dark abyss of fallen humanity. He who knew no sin came into a world filled with sin.
Why did He come?
1Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
Reconciliation could come no other way!
2Corinthians 5:21 & 6:1&2
21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
1 ¶ And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain— 2 for He says, "AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU." Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME," behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION"—
Salvation was costly to God not us. It cost God His Son. But it made the way clear for all of us who will believe to be reconciled to God.
God went to the greatest lengths there is to secure man’s salvation. To reject what Jesus did would be the ultimate offence.
The hope of salvation came as a babe in a stable, in a manger, a Messiah with humble beginnings and a humble end. He is the Lamb of God.
The Son of God became a human being, lived as a man, suffered and died as a sacrifice for sin, and rose from the dead on the third day.
He ascended into heaven where He is seated at the right hand of the Father and ever lives to make intercession for the Saints! Hallelujah!
Incarnation is more than just the birth, it the whole life of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Have you put your faith in what Jesus has done and made a public confession of your faith in Him?
Romans 10:8 But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
About The Author
- Tim Atchley
- Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
- I currently serve as Senior Pastor of Harvest Church in Knoxville, Tn. I was sent out from Trinity Chapel of Knoxville in 1993 accompanied by my wife Sheila our four children Sarah, Hannah, Josiah & Isaac and a handful of bold, brave and committed believers determined to plant our first church. Pioneering is hard work but well worth the journey. That is why we desire to make disciples of Christ who will, like us, also embrace the call to plant churches.
