Eggus Blog

What if the sinner’s hope was in the birth of Jesus, and only the birth of Jesus? How many sins have been forgiven by Jesus’ birth alone in Bethlehem over two thousand years ago? Was the baby Jesus able to atone for sin while still nursing? When the shepherds in the field were told by the angel, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” did they see the baby rise up and immediately fulfill his redemptive work? Imagine if the birth of Jesus of Nazareth was the high water mark of the Son of God. Imagine the state of man if nothing happened after His birth.

Just before the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, John the Baptist said of Him, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) John knew the role that Jesus would be asked to take upon Himself. Jesus wasn’t born to complete a nativity scene. He was born in order to die, and He died in order that others might have life.

Imagine if you received a knock on the door one day. You open the door and standing there is a well dressed man with a brief case. He introduces himself as the attorney for one of the richest men in the world. The attorney announces that he has been tasked with presenting you with a proposal that will radically affect your family. The attorney takes out of a document and begins to read. “Your wife and children are promised a luxurious lifestyle. All their bills will be paid. They will have a summer vacation home and a mansion for year round living. Your children will attend Ivy League schools. They will have access to the best health care available. Money will never be an issue. All their worries will vanish. There is only one condition. You must die in order for them to receive all these benefits. Quite a deal, isn’t it? How many of you would be willing to take up the attorney on the offer he is presenting? Imagine your family having their every need taken care of. It really is a ludicrous proposal. No one in their right mind would consider such a thing.

If the previous story seems a bit far-fetched, consider what the Son of God did on our behalf.

Left His fellowship with the Father

John 17:5 ⁵ And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.*

Philippians 2:6 ⁶ Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God*

Took on human flesh

Isaiah 53:2 ² For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant*, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

Luke 2:7 ⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn son*, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Philippians 2:7 ⁷ But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men*

Became Sin

Galatians 3:13 ¹³ Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us*: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

2 Corinthians 5:21 ²¹ For he hath made him to be sin for us*, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Hebrews 9:26 ²⁶ For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself*.

Unlike the illustration I used earlier, Jesus did not suffer and die so that we may have an easy life. The bible is clear that being a disciple of Jesus means that we will walk in a similar fashion as He did. We may face persecution, ridicule and the pleasures of this world in order to “know Christ.” This is what Paul had in mind when he said:

Philippians 3:7-14 ⁷ But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. ⁸ Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, ⁹ And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: ¹⁰ That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; ¹¹ If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. ¹² Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. ¹³ Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, ¹⁴ I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

How should we view the Christmas season?

Remember that Jesus did not come with the intention of remaining a baby.

Remember that He suffered and died in your place, paying the just penalty for your sin.

Remember that you were saved from the penalty of sin by faith alone in Christ’s finished work on the cross.

Remember that He rose again from the grave, proving that death is vanquished and one day you will reign with Him forever in heaven.

*emphasis mine

Johnny Mathias had a hit song titled “Alfie.” The line “what’s it all about, Alfie?” is the most quotable part of that song. As I sit here in the foodcourt of the Columbia Mall, I’ve asked myself, “what’s it all about?”. I’m referring to the mass of people shopping for gifts, many of them oblivious to real purpose of Christmas. Keeping with the theme of notable quotes, there’s a line from the movie “The Matrix” that is fitting. “Look at them Morpheus. Millions of people, just living out their lives. Oblivious.” That is the condition of all who are without Christ. They are doing nothing more than living out there lives. They are without hope.

As you walk through the malls and stores this advent season, think about the people you pass. Let your thoughs turn towards those you know and pray that God will grant them the most precious gift of all: eternal life!