The Birth Of The Lord Jesus Christ

Feature 1 – December 2021 – Grace & Truth Magazine

The Birth Of The Lord Jesus Christ
Place, Prophecies, Impact And More

The birth of the Lord Jesus Christ is the subject of many prophecies and divine utterances. This incredible event in human history took place about 4,000 years after God completed His creation and saw that everything He had made was good, even very good (please read Genesis 1–2). However, almost immediately something very tragic took place in the garden of Eden: Eve was seduced by the serpent, and Adam transgressed. Yet, then and there, God spoke about the “Seed” of the woman (3:15 NKJV ), the Messiah, who would come and thwart the enemy’s plans and actions.

In the course of time, various persons and events have prefigured Messiah’s coming, such as Moses, Aaron, Joshua, Samuel, David, Solomon, the Exodus and the Temple. Detailed prophecies about the Lord Jesus were also given, including Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53. About 2,000 years ago, in the fullness of time, “God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law” (Gal. 4:4). He is the “Mediator between God and men” (1 Tim. 2:5) and “over all, God blessed forever” (Rom. 9:5 JND).

The Lord’s arrival in this world represents a great “mystery” (1 Tim. 3:16) and is intimately linked with the mystery of God − One in Three and Three in One. That is why believers can only gain understanding of these matters through a direct revelation of God, even though God and His truth remain beyond human grasp. His revelation is through God’s Word and His Spirit (Mt. 11:25,27; 1 Cor. 2:10-16; Gal. 1:15-16).

“Because ye are sons, God has sent out the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father” (4:6). This is one of a few passages about the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and our relationship with them, linked to the matter of a response. Similarly, in Ephesians we read, “For through Him we … have access by one Spirit to the Father” (2:18 NKJV). Wonderful privileges for us, now and forever! Without the incarnation of the Son, His perfect life, unique sacrifice, death, resurrection and exaltation, this would never be possible. The mission and work of the Holy Spirit, our accepting by faith of salvation, the reception of the Holy Spirit and eternal life were required too.

The Incarnation Of The Son
The Lord Jesus entering this world implies a series of unfathomable miracles and mysteries, for there is none like the Lord. He is “the true God … the living God and the everlasting King” (Jer. 10:10 ESV). His arrival as a perfect human being while forever remaining God was announced many times and in various ways (Heb. 1:1-2) – but it remains a great mystery.

A baby’s conception in its mother’s womb and the many subsequent developments for about nine months represent various series of miracles for both, especially the spectacular processes during birth pangs and childbirth. How much more is this true in relation to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Word that “became flesh” (Jn. 1:14). This was according to what the angel Gabriel had announced to Mary: “You will conceive in your womb and bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus” (Lk. 1:31).

Every time my dear wife gave birth to one of our six children, I was with her and can say that each birth was a miracle. People in the medical profession will confirm this, if they are not brainwashed by humanism or evolutionism. Those who have studied the natural processes about the conception of a human being will say that such an event is no less than a miracle. But what is this in comparison to the mystery of the Word becoming flesh?

Unity Between Father And Son
The incarnation of the Son shows perfect unity in plan and action between the Father and the Son. Similarly, harmonious unity was seen in Abraham and his son Isaac as they went together and traveled to Mount Moriah. Their close relationship illustrated what was implied in the following statement about the Lord Jesus Christ: “Being in the form of God, [He] did not consider it robbery to be equal with God” (Phil. 2:6 NKJV). Because the Lord Jesus is God, from eternity to eternity, there was no competition or disagreement between the Father and the Son. As we consider the Baby Jesus in the manger, we should not forget this. Even though He came in the form of a Servant (v.7), He remained who He always was − God over all things − when He became what He never had been and forever will be.

At the same time the eternal and triune1 God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit − was involved in this great mystery. How exactly, we will never fully understand, but faith accepts God’s blessed truth. The Lord Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (Jn. 14:6). We read: “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him” (1:18). God is invisible and lives “in unapproachable light” (1 Tim. 6:16), but in the person of the Son − who is God and who became Man – He revealed Himself and made our access to Him possible. Only God can make the “impossible” possible (Lk. 18:27). He said to Abraham, “Is anything too hard [wonderful, JND] for the LORD?” (Gen. 18:14).

His Greatness Announced
As already mentioned, God sent the archangel Gabriel to Mary, a young virgin, a descendant of King David. The angel told her that she would conceive in her womb a Son whom she should call “JESUS.” “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end” (Lk. 1:32-33). Mary asked how this would come about, for she was a virgin. Gabriel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God” (v.35). This incredible prediction, impossible from a mere human perspective, would be fulfilled, as the angel added, “For with God nothing will be impossible” (v.37).2

With tremendous faith and commitment, Mary answered, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word” (v.38 NASB95). God’s eternal counsel was going to be realized, His plans fulfilled, and Mary was ready to be the instrument God would use.

Matthew’s account about Mary and the Messiah (Mt. 1:18-25) gives some details and calls Joseph “a righteous man” (v.19). His fiancée, Mary, was a faithful, extraordinary young woman, and wonderful example to all believers of true obedience, submission and commitment.

Note that Scripture does not say Mary would become the mother of God but of Jesus, who is also God. Scripture does not mix Jesus’ divinity and humanity, but it carefully differentiates them without separating them.

Following are a few well-known Scripture passages about this great mystery,3 written with words inspired by the Holy Spirit of God:

• “Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory” (1 Tim. 3:16 KJV).
• “The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we have contemplated His glory, a glory as of an Only-begotten with a Father), full of grace and truth” (Jn. 1:14 JND).
• “For there is one God, and there is one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all” (1 Tim. 2:5-6 ESV).

The last passage clearly indicates that the mystery of the Son’s incarnation and His earthly life cannot be detached from His unique sacrifice. Some only want to consider the extraordinary example of Jesus’ life but do not accept His sacrifice. However, both are inseparable. Even though distinct, they concern the same person, in life and death. The incarnation of the Son means that His being God and Man in one person will forever be before us, to worship Him. Furthermore, His perfect life of sinless perfection was needed for His ultimate sacrifice to accomplish the remission of our sins (Rom. 5:8).

Why do we emphasize this? A baby enters this world to live, but the Lord Jesus was born in order to die, because He came into this world for that very purpose. Even the “swaddling clothes” Mary used for her Baby − a sign given by the angel to the shepherds to identify the Newborn (Lk. 2:7,12) − indicated that His birth was in view of His ultimate death. People at that time used such clothes to wrap the bodies of the dead to be buried.

Did you know that the sheep in the fields around Bethlehem were raised for sacrifice in the temple? That is one reason why the Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem, to become the ultimate Sacrifice. His birth and death are distinct but inseparable.

Some Thoughts About His Sacrifice
The Old Testament describes various sacrifices to help us understand different aspects of Christ’s perfect and once-for-all Sacrifice. The smoke of the burnt offering (Lev. 1), which was entirely burnt on the altar, ascended as an odor of rest, or a sweet-smelling savor, for God’s delight and satisfaction. This sacrifice was the first of three voluntary offerings (Lev. 1–3) and distinct from the mandatory sin and trespass offerings (Lev. 4–5).

The burnt offering was accompanied by a meal offering of fine flour − “the fruit of the earth” (Isa. 4:2 NKJV) − not a meat offering or animal sacrifice. The meal offering exemplified, or illustrated, the perfections of the sinless Man whose whole life on earth was for God’s joy and satisfaction (Lev. 2). However, this life of devotion led Him to be “obedient” unto death (Phil. 2:8), ready to give Himself completely.

The next voluntary sacrifice was the peace offering (Lev. 3) of a ceremonially clean animal, given to make fellowship possible between God and the offerer. The sacrifice was presented by the offerer and put on the altar by the priest. It provided a portion for God and another for the offerer, as well as for his family, the officiating priest and any other member of God’s people provided they were ceremonially pure (Lev. 7). The priest placed the peace offering upon the burnt offering (Lev. 3:5) that had been accompanied by the meal offering (Lev. 2).

The various aspects of these three offerings presented to God help us better understand the greatness of Christ’s sacrifice, even apart from the sin question, which He also settled. God was glorified by a Man on earth who took on all obligations to meet the holy and just requirements of a sin-hating God. That is why God, in a sense, owes much to this perfect Man who was apart from sin, and because of His life and work sees Himself indebted to the entire human race.

The mandatory offerings (Lev. 4–5) had to be brought because of our sinful condition, termed “sin,” and our sinful acts, called “sins,” as well as for the guilt we owed Him4 because of our sins (this is apart from the matter of trespassing specific commandments of the Mosaic law.) All our guilt and debts were settled by Christ’s unique sacrifice.5 God will forever honor the Man Christ Jesus, who is God incarnate and became Man to glorify God – the only One ever to do so.

Soon we will be in the glory and see the Lamb as slain (Rev. 5:6) as if it just happened. His sufferings − evident from the five open wounds in His hands, feet and side − will always be before us. The Lamb who died and rose again is also God who cannot die, with:

• Seven horns – indicating He is omnipotent, or almighty;
• Seven eyes – showing He is omniscient, or all-knowing;
• Seven spirits – presenting Him as omnipresent, or always everywhere.

We will be forever baffled by these mysteries.

“God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (Jn. 3:16). We are redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot … foreordained before the foundation of the world” (1 Pet. 1:19-20). The last phrase adds another dimension to these great mysteries! Although we cannot fathom them we may reflect on them, through faith, with the help of the Holy Spirit and in the light of God’s Word. This leads to never-ending worship of the Father and the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit. In this adoration we may already participate.

Several Reasons For The Son’s Incarnation6
“We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of One, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying: ‘I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You’” (Heb. 2:9-12). This wonderful passage introduces the millennial reign of the once rejected Messiah. Besides this prophetic aspect, it shows that, already now, we belong to the many sons led to glory, intimately linked to Him. Thus, we are: (1) many sons; (2) sanctified; (3) called His brothers; (4) belong to His Assembly; (5) God’s children given to Christ; (6) Abraham’s seed and (7) the people.

Let’s make sure we understand that Abraham’s seed (2:16) has a wide application, namely to all believers, from Adam to the last one saved in the coming millennium. “The people” (v.17) refers to Israel, sometimes to the believers among them and to the true believers in the age of grace. Throughout the Lord’s future reign, Israel will be “the people” consisting of true believers (see Jn. 3:3-16; Ezek. 36:25-38, 37:1-28).

Earlier we said that God cannot die, but Hebrews 2:9 shows that the Lord Jesus as a Man tasted death, which is something angels cannot do. Thus, He took a place lower than the angels to taste death in our stead (1 Pet. 3:18) and bring many sons to glory. At the same time He brought us into a relationship with Himself closer than angels will ever have. Because of His incarnation and based on His death and resurrection, Christ is closer to us, redeemed ones, than to the mighty angels who never sinned. That is why He told Mary of Magdala on the day of His resurrection, “Go to My brethren, and say to them, ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God’” (Jn. 20:17 NASB95). We have been sanctified, or set apart, for the purpose that He would become the Captain of our salvation, our great Leader, bringing many sons to glory. The relationship between Him and us, the many brethren, is closer than what He has with any other company of believers.

Another reason for His incarnation is to show Jesus’ perfect humanity, even though He is God. The Word shows that His two natures − as God and as Man − cannot be mixed or divided. How they are together in one blessed person will forever remain a mystery, but we accept it and adore Him.

Hebrews 2 goes on to say, “And again: ‘I will put My trust in Him’” (v.13). The Lord Jesus was the ever-dependent Man, always obedient to God and relying on His Word. At Lazarus’ tomb we see His perfect dependence waiting for His Father’s direction, as well as His divine power calling Lazarus out of the tomb. Amazing!

Hebrews 2:13 continues: “And again: ‘Behold, I and the children whom God has given Me.’” He presents Himself to God while linked with us, God’s children, whom He received as the Father’s gift to Him. Did you ever think about this: one of the results of the Son’s incarnation is that we belong to those God has given to Him? Without His incarnation this could not be the case.

Hebrews 2 also says, “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (vv.14-15 NKJV). The incarnation brought Him close to us and made it possible for Him to die, but He was always victorious. The expression “likewise” in the last passage implies a parallel between Him and us but also a difference, for He was without sin. As the children share in “flesh and blood,” which is their common condition, “He … likewise shared of the same” (Heb. 2:14). He did not share our sinful condition but He stepped into what was new for Him, in which He partook, sin apart. Thus, He was able to die even though He was without sin.

On the cross He had a tremendous victory (Col. 2:15) that we will celebrate forever. Just before He died He uttered one single word of triumph: tetelestai, meaning “it is finished” or “paid in full.” Then He bowed His head to finally rest (Jn. 19:30). The blessed results of His great victory are not intended for the angels but for “the seed of Abraham” (Heb. 2:16). This expression implies all true believers, from Adam to the last one in the world to come, because Abraham is the father of all believers (Rom. 4:16).

There is more! “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” (Heb. 2:17-18). The incarnation was needed for His great work on the cross. This is described in Hebrews 2. His work implies that He was the sin offering (2 Cor. 5:21) and His service is as the merciful and faithful High Priest. During His life on earth He could not be a priest, officially, because He was not from the tribe of Levi (Heb. 7). However, on the cross, between heaven and earth, before a holy and righteous God, the Lord Jesus took the sinners’ place as their Substitute. At the same time, He was the “High Priest … to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (2:17).

Furthermore, He was the sin offering of which the blood was brought into the Holiest, while the rest of it was burned7 outside the camp (13:11). He was also the Offerer to offer Himself up to God, presenting Himself to God (10:10,12,14). Christ was the Altar on which the fat was presented to God and on which the blood was sprinkled. Finally, He was the Gift on the altar (literally in Hebrew: “place of sacrifice”) – a wonderful Gift offered to God.

To Sum It Up
All this is not only to clarify the point that the incarnation of the Son implies Jesus was here as a perfect Man − which He certainly was − in a new order of Manhood without sin. What we have considered shows His incarnation was absolutely necessary in view of His becoming the perfect Sacrifice for the glory of God. That is why our present topic − “the birth of the Lord Jesus” − is so important. We will see Him forever in both aspects of perfect Man and perfect Sacrifice, and will praise Him for who He is and for what He has done. His work can never be repeated, but His praise will continue forever, for the glory of God.

ENDNOTES
1. This mystery is implied in the seven Hebrew words of Genesis 1:1. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” God (plural with a minimum of three) created (singular) shows Him as the Creator-God, Three in One and One in Three, from eternity to eternity.
2. The Rabbis in those days discussed among themselves how God would fulfill His promises to David. They knew that David’s descendants through Jehoiachin were disqualified (Jer. 22:24-30). However, God would make the impossible possible, namely through the virgin Mary who descended from another Davidic line (Lk. 1:26-38, 2:1-7, 3:21-38). Her husband Joseph belonged to the disqualified line and became Messiah’s father through adoption (Mt. 1:18-25).
3. Paul’s writings use the term “mystery” 21 times, whereas the rest of the New Testament does so seven times. It refers to matters hidden to human beings that are now revealed to the believers through God’s Word and the actions of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:7-16).
4. When I lie to my fellow-creature I not only am in debt to him but also to God, because I sinned against His creature. That is why a sin offering is needed: (1) in view of my condition that caused this sin; (2) to settle my debt/guilt towards God; and (3) to settle my debt towards my fellowman. Christ’s sacrifice fully satisfied God with respect to all these aspects, including trespasses under the law.
5. Christ’s work was enough that all could be saved, but He is the perfect Substitute only for those who believe.
6. The Biblical concepts implied in the quoted Scriptures do not allow for speculation. Rather, they call for meditation and adoration.
7. The verb “to burn” used here is not the same as for the burnt offering that we saw earlier.

By Alfred Bouter