December 11, 2017
This post is part of a series of Christmas Devotionals by Dr. John Neihof, president of Wesley Biblical Seminary. You can find all of the devotionals by clicking here.
Scripture passages: Romans 5:6-21, Philippians 2:5-11, Colossians 1:12-20, I Peter 1:13-23
What was in the mind of the pre-existent Jesus Christ when He entered the realm of time and the space of a womb to become human? What was in the mind of the Son of God when He came to earth in the form of a baby? Why would any god set aside all of the privileges of being God? God just doesn’t do that! But Jesus, the Lamb of God, did exactly that. And He planned it that way. Jesus Christ’s coming to earth as the Savior of the world was not an afterthought. It was God’s plan from the foundation of the world.
Triune God knows what we need. We need a Savior. Sin and rebellion has so twisted and distorted our human character that we are estranged from God. We are separated with a chasm that we cannot cross. We are darkened in our understanding, corrupted in our moral nature, and desperate for God.
The prophets said the Messiah was coming. They called Him names like Immanuel, Messiah, Branch, Joshua, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. They were telling of the details of His birth 700 years in advance!
What a plan!
And then God became flesh. Conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin girl, born into poverty and relative obscurity, and raised by an earthly surrogate. Jesus went from the carpenter shop to the cross because He were born to die!
What a plan! God–born to die! No other god, no other religion, no other idol would ever construct a bold myth to match the truth of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ.
What an incredible plan for God to send His Son to become the Savior of the world. The Holy Spirit implanted the seed of God in Mary’s womb. Jesus left behind the glories of heaven to become the Savior of the world. He became poor that we could be rich (II Corinthians 8:9). He embraced the cross, and raised Himself from the dead. Then He returned to the Father to pray for us!
God made flesh. Why did He do that? It is too great for me to comprehend. All I can do is to thank God and offer myself to Him in love and worship.