This time of year brings many reminders of the hope that entered the world some 2,000 years ago in the form of a baby in a manger! Yet, this baby was no ordinary baby- truly this was “the Son of God” (Lk. 1:35). Yet, as our culture in America grows increasingly secular, many people are uninformed or misinformed regarding the identity of this One born in a manger many years ago. What does the Bible say about this One born in a manger in Bethlehem?
His Coming Was Prophesied
Throughout the Old Testament Scriptures, many verses prophesy of the birth of Christ-
Isaiah 7:14- “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Isaiah 9:6- “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Micah 5:2- “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”
These prophecies surrounding the birth of Christ were perfectly fulfilled when Christ was born!
His Pedigree was Royal
The Old Testament prophesied that the Christ (Messiah) would come through the lineage of Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3), Isaac (Gen. 26:24), Jacob (Gen. 28:13-15), Judah (Gen. 49:10), and King David (2 Sam. 7:12-16).
In Mt. 1:1, Jesus is presented as the “Son of David”. Jesus was a direct descendant of King David who fulfills the promise made to David of a Son that would receive an eternal throne and kingdom!
His Nature is Divine
Jesus was unlike any other baby that was ever born or will ever be born. Within the manger of Bethlehem lay more than a baby- as Immanuel, this baby is “God With Us”- the eternal Son of God!
In 1 Tim. 3:16, Christ is referred to as “God…manifest in the flesh”. In John 1:1 & 14, the Bible says- “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… 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 prophet Micah spoke of the pre-existence of Christ and the fact that Jesus didn’t come into existence at His birth but has existed from eternity past- “…whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”
Isaiah spoke of Christ as “the Mighty God” (Is. 9:6).
His Being is Holy
In Luke 1:35, an angel spoke to Mary about this child that she would bear- “…that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”
In fulfillment of prophecy, Jesus was born of a virgin. This is important because it is through a father’s seed that the sin nature is passed from one generation to the next. Yet, Jesus did not have a human father. He was conceived in the womb of a virgin- therefore, He came into this world sinless, holy, perfect.
His Birthplace was Humble
Though Christ is “the Mighty God”, yet His entrance into this world was marked by simplicity, lowliness, and humility.
In Luke 2:4-7, we read “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 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.”
Think of the condescension of God becoming Man in the lowliest of circumstances! Consider this quote by R.G. Lee that describes the humility of Christ’s incarnation:
“In Bethlehem, humility and glory in their extremes were joined. Born in a stable! Cradled in a cattle trough! Wrapped in swaddling clothes of poverty! No room for Him who made all rooms! No place for Him who made and knows all places! Oh, deep humiliation of the Creator—born of the creature, woman!
Christ who in eternity rested motherless upon the Father’s bosom and in time rested fatherless upon a woman’s bosom, clasping the Ancient of Days had become the Infant of Days. What deep descent from the heights of glory to the depths of shame; from the wonders of heaven to the wickedness of earth; from exaltation to humiliation; from the throne to the tree; from dignity to debasement; from worship to wrath; from the halls of heaven to the nails of earth; from the coronation to the curse; from the glory place to the gory place!
But in His descent was the dawn of mercy. Because we cannot ascend to Him, He descends to us.”
His Arrival was Announced
In Luke 2:8-14, we read of the announcement of the birth of Christ: “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
The arrival of the promised Messiah was not made to the powerful people of that day- instead, the angel made the announcement to lowly shepherds watching their flocks.
His Purpose was Redemptive
Why did Jesus come into this world? If Jesus merely lived a good life, taught moral lessons, and provided a good example to follow- we would still be in our sins! Jesus did live a perfect (sinless) life, Jesus did reveal Divine truth in His teaching, Jesus provides the best example to follow- yet, none of those things reveal the ultimate purpose for which Christ came into the world.
Ultimately, Jesus was born to die! Isaiah prophesied of the suffering that Jesus would endure in order to pay the penalty for our sins- “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:4-6)
Jesus willingly laid down His life, not as a martyr or a victim, but as a sinless substitute bearing our sins upon Himself. “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” (1 Pet. 3:18)
Jesus is “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus offers the free gift of everlasting life to all who will repent and believe the Gospel!
His Destiny is Glorious
Just as certain as the Bible prophesied the first coming of Christ, so the Bible also prophesies the second coming of Christ! The Bible teaches that Jesus is coming again. And when He comes again, He is coming to judge the earth and to establish His kingdom! He is coming to rule and reign as King of kings and Lord of lords! It’s been said that “Jesus came the first time to judge sin in men- Jesus is coming the second time to judge men in sin.”
The angel that revealed to Mary that she would bear a Son and call His name Jesus also revealed that this same Jesus “…shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” (Lk. 1:32-33)
He came the first time in humility as the Lamb of God- He will come the second time in power as the Lion of Judah to establish His Kingdom and to put down His enemies.
Mt. 24:30-31- “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”
~Pastor Aaron Francis
