17
Dec '24
The Ancient of Days Became the Infant of Days
17
Dec '24
Introduction: In order for God to relate to man, He had to become a man—the God-Man. That is exactly what He did. Jesus Christ took upon Him human flesh. Notice and follow this trend containing five phases:
1. God’s Plan! (John 1:14) – “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
The word “dwelt” is σκηνόω (skay-no’-o), which means to dwell, or to tabernacle, and it can even mean to pitch a tent. God the Son pitched a tent, as it were, on earth. Consequently, He lived without sin in order to die and pay the penalty for our sins.
Another passage that refers to this incarnation is found in (Hebrews 10:5): “Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me.”
God, in the person of Jesus Christ, had to take upon Himself a human body.
2. God’s Power! Comparing the Old Covenant, which could never eradicate sin but simply cover it, the writer of Hebrews goes into detail describing what God the Son did in bringing the New Covenant, which would take away sins forever, once and for all.
(Hebrews 10:16-17): “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.”
Jesus Christ did what the law could not do.
(Hebrews 10:9-10): “Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
What a perfect sacrifice!
3. God’s Person! Paul wrote proving Jesus Christ was God. (Philippians 2:6-7) – “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.”
Did you notice that Jesus was on a mission—to fulfill the Father’s Will. Are you on a mission?
4. God’s Purpose! Jesus Christ’s purpose for coming to earth was to become a man. (Matthew 20:28) – “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
In a nutshell, Jesus revealed His purpose for coming to earth, namely to lay down His life so that our sins could be forgiven.
Conclusion: After tracing God’s Plan, Power, Person, and Purpose, hopefully His mission becomes more personal. But how about our mission?
Now our passion ought to be to go tell this GOOD NEWS! Will you?
Love y’all,
Pastor Randy Reese