By Alex Croutworst
During Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ! This is the incarnation: God coming to earth as fully man and fully God. In Matthew chapter 1:18-21, we read about the birth of Jesus Christ. The angel appears to Joseph to tell him that Mary’s baby will be named Jesus, because He will save people from their sins. The name Jesus means “Savior.” This is what Jesus DOES for us. Jesus saves us from our sins.
As we continue reading in Matthew chapter 1, we see in verse 23 a quote from Isaiah 7:14, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” The name Immanuel means “God is with us” or “God with us.” This name shows us that Jesus is WITH us. He is guiding and helping us. Even at the end of Jesus’s time on earth before He ascends into heaven, He promises to give His followers the Holy Spirit. That’s why He says in Matthew 28:20, “ ‘And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ ” We receive the Holy Spirit of God when we repent of our sins and trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
So, why is the incarnation important for followers of Jesus Christ? The writer of Hebrews says it clearly in Hebrews 2:17, “Therefore he [Jesus] had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.”
Jesus became human in every way (expect He did not sin) in order to represent us as our high priest, the final high priest! If the incarnation did not happen, Jesus could not have died for our sins on the cross. He could not have risen from the dead on the third day to defeat sins and death SO THAT we can have a relationship with a holy and righteous God. He could not have ascended into heaven and be seated at the right hand of God. And because He ascended into heaven and left earth, He sent the Holy Spirit to indwell us so that we can carry out God’ work on earth!
The incarnation is essential. That’s why we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the one who saves us and is with us!
Take some time to meditate on these scriptures that focus on the character of God:
· Humility of God – Hebrews 2:5-7
· Generosity of God – John 3:16-17
· Plan and Purpose of God – Colossians 5:15-20, Galatians 4:4-5