Dave spoke this evening from Gal 4:4-5, reminding us that God’s timing is always perfect. He is never late, and the birth of Jesus demonstrates God’s perfect timing yet again.
When?
Jesus was born at the right time to fulfil the prophecies made about Him. Culturally, the rule of Alexander the Great meant that the Greek language travelled through the whole world, facilitating the spread of Christianity. Politically, the Roman empire meant that roads were prepared and the pax Romana meant freedom of travel so that the gospel could be spread at this time. God prepared the whole world for the arrival of His Son!
What?
The birth of Jesus is frequently referred to as the Incarnation, meaning that God Himself took on human nature. John 1:1-14 makes it clear that Jesus (the ‘Word’) is God and yet ‘became flesh’. Luke 1:26-38 describes the angel’s message to Mary that this baby would be conceived by the Holy Spirit; Matt 1:18-25 gives us the story from Joseph’s perspective, showing us that the birth of Jesus was like no ordinary baby’s, since He was sinless. The virgin birth is an essential doctrine to grasp, for we see that we have a Saviour who both understands and shares our humanity and yet who is totally pure and without sin.
Why?
God cannot tolerate sin in any shape or form; Adam and Eve’s disobedience meant that they were expelled from the Garden of Eden, from God’s presence. Jesus obeyed the law fully and died in place of sinful man so that we can be drawn back into a relationship with a holy God. Jesus, the Son of God, became man so tahat we, the children of man, can become children of God.
God works in time and there is a ‘right time’ for us all to receive Him as Saviour. Paul reminds us that ‘now’ is the day of salvation, the day of God’s favour (2 Cor 6:2). We do well to receive Him now!
