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“If you really knew Me, you would know My Father as well.
From now on, you do know Him…
anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.” (John 14:7-9)
Part One
Jesus’ claim of divinity startled the ancient world! Since His birth, the incarnation’s global impact has increased with every generation. Having been born of a virgin, He made the statement recorded above and His words were taken seriously, because He healed the sick, walked on water, raised the dead, and lived a sinless life!
On the night our Savior arrived, God’s holy angel declared, “… behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11) Christ was His earthly title and salvation was His appointed mission!
After His death and resurrection, God’s incarnate Son met several times with those who knew Him best. Approximately 500 people personally saw Him alive and many were blessed to hear Him teach (see 1 Corinthians 15:3-6). This is why for more than 70 generations, His matchless character, divine power, and eternal truth have inspired great multitudes of our world’s population. Because of Him – God’s love, hope, and forgiveness are now being enjoyed in the 21st century by the countless seekers who have found Him. This is why we celebrate Christmas!
Part Two
Without the incarnation, there would be no – Christmas! It all began with Jesus’ virgin birth and heaven’s joyful proclamation. At long last, mankind’s Savior had miraculously arrived. His coming was like nothing the world had ever seen or dreamed of! Heaven’s angelic announcement was forever majestic,
“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14)
Quietly reflect on this historic first century testimony, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” Those who personally experienced the Messiah’s life were united in declaring – “We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only who came from the Father, full of grace and truth…” (John 1:14) Clearly, to personally observe God’s incarnate Son was to behold the character of His Father (see Hebrews 1:3). Give thought to the Lord’s prophesy made to His disciples, “You will realize that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you.” (John 14:19b-20) This is the historic and enduring reality that billions have humbly celebrated at Christmas!
Part Three
The miracle of the Lord’s incarnation became the source of all His other miracles. His actions here on earth meant far more than His first disciples could understand, so He explained, “…I do exactly as My Father commanded Me…” (John 14:31). It was His incarnation and obedience that allowed the sacrificial nature of His Father’s love to be revealed. The Bible says, “But God demonstrated His own love for us in this; While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Our Master’s miraculous virgin birth without the accompanying demonstration of His – sinless life, willing death, and bodily resurrection would soon have lost its timeless significance!
If Jesus had not been divine – the sacrificial exchange which took place on the cross could never have happened. Paul explained this miracle saying, “God [the Father] made Him [the Son] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Cor. 5:21) The Father’s chosen plan substituted the Perfect – for the imperfect, the Holy – for the unholy, the Creator – for the created and revealed His agape love! “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…” (John 3:16).
This season, pause to quietly reflect on the fact that personally knowing the Savior, who was sent – is to know His Father who sent Him! In that reality, may you and yours experience the Joy of a much blessed – Christmas!
By Billie Hanks Jr.
