Have you ever considered why Jesus left the splendor of heaven to come to earth? Jesus is the long awaited Messiah, the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world (John 1:29). This is truly good news because Satan uses our sin as legitimate grounds to accuse us before God. Jesus however, has paid the penalty for our sins and we are justified which means we are declared righteous before God.

Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. (Romans 5:9)

The writer of the book of Hebrews reveals the purpose of the incarnation leading to the significance of Christ’s work on the cross for His people:

Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. (Hebrews 2:14-18)

What encouragement do you find knowing that Jesus is able to come to your aid when you’re tempted? Jesus has taken away the devil’s weapon against us which is our sin. We are free of our greatest enemy which is death so we can walk in freedom knowing that our destiny is secure. Jesus suffered and died so that we might experience life in its fullness. The incarnation reveals God’s love for us.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

Likewise, Jesus voluntarily gave His life so that we might have life,

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)

In light of God’s great love for us what should be our response? Christina Rossetti sums up our response in the poem, In the bleak midwinter ,

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him, whom cherubim, worship night and day,
Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom angels fall before,
The ox and ass and camel which adore.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Chu,rch at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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