Endured the struggles of teenage life. For me, however, I like to think Jesus came to earth as a helpless babe, lying in a manger for a different reason. This life makes Him the perfect One to give good news to His people in poverty. 4 min. He would arrive on horseback, with sword held high, crying out for vengeance and redemption in the name of the Lord and his favored nation. We marvel at the gift life is. Messiah: Perhaps the couple stammered when they tried to speak the M-word aloud. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins., Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear A Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which translated means, God with us., And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus(Matthew 1:18-25). However, by this time the line of David did not have any special prestige. Jesus was a descendant of the line of David through his mother Mary; his adopted father Joseph was descended from David through a different son. Here is the future in flesh; our legacy to the world. We see the cost of this clearly on a number of occasions in the life of Jesus. Creators.com requires Javascript for full functionality. He came as a baby because it was better for us. We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect was tempted as we are, yet without sin. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Thank Jesus for humbling himself by coming to earth as a human for our salvation. God could have sent his Son as a perfect, grown man to the earth, just like He sent Elijah to meet with Jesus on the mountain one night (Matthew 17). Since Mary was pregnant with Jesus at the time the command had to be carried out, this explains why Jesus was born in the town of . Ask this question: If Gods Son humbled himself for us, shouldnt we be more concerned about His reputation than our own? He is one of us in every way. Babies do not judge. Who cant run to a Savior who weeps with us over a friends death? What Should Guide Your Decision in Choosing a Career? We went to an Easter sunrise service this year, and all the talk about the cross and the empty tomb made me curious about this. Satan had mankind in his power since that first dark moment of sin in the garden of Eden, but one day it would be that same mankind that would bind him and break his power. Didnt He have all wisdom right from the start, as a baby? Usually, it doesnt come with flashing neon lights. It would have been if He would have opposed the devil as God. Researching the topic of Jesus early years on earth in the Bible led me to several interesting passages. This verse declares that God the Father sent His Son when "the time had fully come." There were many things occurring at the time of the first century that, at least by human reasoning, seem to make it ideal for Christ to come then. Why People Are Losing Their Religion (and How the Church Can Respond), A Prayer to the Guardian of Your Soul - Your Daily Prayer - June 27, 10 Classic Hymns You Might Remember and Why They're Important, 30 Morning Prayers to Start Each Day with God. His flesh is being crushed like the olives that they used to press in the area Gethsemane means olive press in Hebrew. To proclaim liberty to the captives, They bring us back to what really matters. The Old Testament foretells that the Savior will be a descendant of Eve ( Genesis 3:15 ). They are speaking on His behalf to others. And He would be her offspring. Its difficult to think of a person more humble, vulnerable, and lowly than a newborn. Will's comments remind me of the Apostle Paul's summary of Jesus' incarnation: "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. Listen to a talking book, download the "Kids Color Me Bible" for free, watch Kid TV Interviews and travel around the world by viewing the "Mission Explorers Streaming Video" at www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org. People talk about the wonder of childhood Christmas as if the magic of it fades with adulthood. Joseph the carpenter did not pass on his sinful nature to Jesus for the simple reason that Joseph was not the father. Jesus is born to poor parents in a small city in a small country on the fringes of the glory of the Roman Empire. There is Good News for everyone. Print free lessons from the "Kids Color Me Bible" and make your own book. It wasnt easy for Jesus! Christianity. She and her husband planted the Foundation, a network of house churches in Arizona. 10 "Do not fear those who kill the body". Why Christians Should Avoid Debt and 6 Steps for How to Start, The One Thing Satan Really Wants to Take from You. Even for the majority of residents in this small, obscure town, it was a routine night. He took on the very form and nature of humanity . Didnt He have all wisdom right from the start, as a baby? Let us allow our heart, our soul, and our mind to be touched by this fact! It would have meant very little to us if he had sprung from heaven fully formed, bathed in heavenly glory, saying, "Here are my hands and my feet- place me upon the cross, for I am willing to die." Alfred Edersheim, a Biblical scholar who lived between 1825-1889, believed that God had a divine purpose announcing Christ's coming to shepherds first. Answer The Bible teaches that the Father sent the Son into the world ( John 5:37; 6:44, 57; 8:16, 18; 12:49; 20:21; Galatians 4:4; 1 John 4:14 ). We see his love for children, and we can believe it because he, too, has been a child. Why Christians Should Avoid Debt and 6 Steps for How to Start, The One Thing Satan Really Wants to Take from You. You can find more encouraging resources from April here andhere. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. Answers in Genesis is an apologetics ministry, dedicated to helping Christians defend their faith and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. Every minute. Mary wasnt a rich girl. True Son of David If Jesus had appeared from heaven as a fully grown man, He would not have been the promised " Son of David ". He always overcame evil with good. Your newsletter signup did not work out. We do not have a Savior that is far off, but one who walked with us, grew with us, and played with us. when one of his younger brothers got a toy He also would like to have And when His earthly father Joseph would have asked Him to do a chore, He might not always have felt like it. The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.. If he had been man only, his sacrifice would have had no power; he would have been a martyr like ten thousand others. He was equal with God. Not a solider or a king. We dont have much of a record of what went on other than knowing that His family was likely very poor. It's subtle, small and seemingly insignificant. Memorize this truth: "And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." This already was a prophecy about the future Savior who would defeat the devil. Here, nestled in our arms, is a brand-new member of the human race. He takes away our fear of his greatness. Jesus transforming mercy appears in the way he himself appears in our midst. Having seen all of human history, He predicted exactly . When you think of Christmas, the Baby Jesus, and the manger scene, let it remind you that His arrival shouts, I am with you! and let that message stir comfort and peace over your struggles and worries. To give them beauty for ashes, Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting and transformative Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more. Indeed no known natural phenomenon would be able to stand over Bethlehem since all "natural" stars continually move due to the rotation of the earth. We trust him with our lives because he was God. Our innocence comes alive again. Being in the presence of a baby brings out the best in us. He was better able to understand our own lives as humanshow fragile, how weak the flesh truly is. When John saw the glorified Christ recorded in Revelation, he fell down as if dead. He is a Savior that knows how bad it is for us and in us and yet still say, Come to Me and Come boldly to the throne of grace.. God's way is different, says Stewart, 12: "If Jesus didn't come as a baby, people would be convinced immediately that he was the Son of God.". Opportunity. And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying. Why did Jesus come as a child? A life we will be empowered to live by the Holy Spirit when we humble ourselves and acknowledge that we need help. We will not just be forgiven and counted as righteous, we will be cleansed from sin through His blood and truly, Thats why Jesus did not just come as a grown man to serve as a perfect sacrifice for our sins, by, . He did not have Jesus born be born an orphan, alone and forgotten. Being a man, He knew He had to fully rely on his Fathers strength and power (John 5:19, 30). He sends His Son to become a baby one of us. It wasnt even for Him. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. Do you think that God whose very flesh sweated blood knows what we go through when we struggle with our own flesh? Listen to our FREE Christmas Podcast: The Characters of Christmas - The Surprising People in Jesus' Family: How Does the Bible Teach Us to Handle Anxiety? Going to the baby Jesus in faith and trust is the best thing we can do this Christmas. Herod, the Jewish king, wasn't exactly thrilled when wise men from the East showed up asking, "Where is he who has been born King of the Jews?". In this context, John writes that "God is love" (vs. 8), as if to say he is so much the perfect and true standard of love that he is, in fact, love itself. God made himself small so that we could understand him, welcome him, and love him. "But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law" (Galatians 4:4). And we can go that Way. Amen and if it was not to be, then we would be condemned to the lake of fire forever, Such a great quote, Tom. We see him in the desert, wrestling with temptation and the matter of his destiny, and we know he is fully human. For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted. Isaiah 7:15-16. by Dr. David Jeremiah. Perhaps He also wanted to play outside! He came as a baby because it was better for us. He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. The mystery of godliness describes the ultimate paradox. That life grows and a belly swells with the hope and promise of a new baby. What Is Advent: Definition & Meaning Behind Christmas TraditionWhat Is an Advent Wreath?Christmas Eve History and TraditionsWhy Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh?What Are the 12 Days of Christmas? In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. Jesus said, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10). Yes, babies are special signs of love, but theres more to the story, says Richard, 9: God sent our Savior as a baby because kings would want to kill him. He would have also experienced all of the dirt, grime, and difficulties of life during that time period. Privacy Policy and
And Luke writes after Mary and Joseph had searched for a twelve-year-old Jesus for three days, and they finally found Him in the temple in Jerusalem and He went home with them: And Jesus increased in wisdom, stature, and in favor with God and man. Luke 2:52. Although, Jesus could perhaps just as well have experienced temptation having only walked the earth as an adult man, but chose to also experience it as a 5 year-old and a 12 year-old. Do not be afraid of me, come to me, give me what children need: loving embraces. 1 Kenneth Heck In Ex 4:22 Moses was directed by the LORD to say to Pharaoh: "Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:" So, the Israelites, later called the Jews at the time of Christ, had a firstborn distinction. I think God came as a baby because He wanted us to know that He is humble and a servant, says Will, 11. Internet Explorer is no longer supported. How could we follow his footsteps as a man if we hadn't seen him crawl as a child? And He would be her offspring. Why, indeed? Your Invitation to Dangerous Discipleship, We Need God before We can Do Gods Work Are We Losing Jesus in Busyness, Simple Tips on How to Help those who are Suffering Good Article from The Gospel Coalition, Is Genesis History? The oil of joy for mourning, He cried in the middle of the night. Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Almighty God experienced the limitations of humanity. That is just awesome. Here Jesus, although he is God, did not exploit the equality with God he already possessed. As our world spins full of unknowns and fears, the baby in the manger is the most comforting hope we can hang our hearts on. Even for the majority of residents in this small, obscure town, it was a routine night. "God sent our Savior as a baby because when babies are born, everybody thinks they are special," says Buck, age unknown. Isnt that victory? God came into contact with the full nature of man. Answer: To Be the Savior We Need. God is true means that you believe God gave us eternal life, not death. Matthew records that Jesus was born of the Holy Spirit and that He would save people from their sins, and that His name would be Jesus and Immanuel meaning God Saves and God with Us.. 2To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, As Christmas draws near I find myself asking, why did Jesus come as a babysmall and defenselessand not a man ready to begin His ministry on earth? Thanks to their partnership in our mission, we reachmore than 20 million unique users per month! And it wasn't enough to say it, He had to send His son to pay the price that we owed in such a way that once we embraced the truth of the story and once we embraced who Jesus was, we would never doubt God's love for us. All rights reserved. Used by permission ofTyndale House Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Jesus grieved over people who rejected him and his mission to save the world from being separated from his Father. And later on, the Messiah is referred to as the son of King. As descendants of David, their ancestral home was Bethlehem (Luke 2:4), but they lived in Nazareth, an area not held in high regard. Rather, when Jesus left the throne of heaven and put on humanity, He experienced the frailty and sinful nature of man in a way that He had never done so before. And so now when he shows himself to mortal men for the first time, he prefers to present himself as a child in order to inspire love rather than fear. Our Lord well understands how oppressive and debilitating the fear in our life can be, and he is full of compassion for us. In other words, God sent Jesus. This does not mean that Jesus did not know obedience before His incarnation or that He was not perfect. It was through this suffering in temptations as a human being, just like his brothers that He is able to help those who are tempted. Babies do not judge. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. A baby represents so much. Lets look at what the Scripture tells us: And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth(John 1:14). A Pastors Answer, 23 Forceful Bible Verses on Gossip and Slander, 27 Powerful Bible Verses on the Spiritual Gifts, John Mulinde - False Teacher: Beware of the Grace Robbers | Pastor Unlikely, 41 Authentic Bible Verses to Contradict Mormonism, 11 Life Changing Bible Verses about being Born Again, 33 Chilling Bible Verses on False Teachers, 21 Wonderful Bible Verses on God's Love - A Warm Hug from God. He was exhausted, worn out and hungry. Bible quotations are from the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted. For anyone who has children or has experienced the birth of a child, it is a miraculous occurrence. Bam! And so, many people said one to another, Let us go to see Marys Son, that we may be consoled.. To find out more about Carey Kinsolving and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com. God is big enough to grasp being human and God at the same moment. Galatians 4:4 says, "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law." We don't exactly know what "the fullness of time" refers to, but God has allowed us these few hints. Thank you for signing up to receive email newsletters from Answers in Genesis. So that we can be confident that no matter how far we go or what sins we indulge, we know that Jesus understands and is willing to love us anyway. John 1:14ESV / 28 helpful votes HelpfulNot Helpful It takes spiritual eyes to see it. We can imitate them in being similarly dedicated to spreading the message of our glorious Savior who humbled himself so that we can be saved when we call on him. He had to give up his own will to obey Gods will, and that hurt. And, of course, they weren't above jockeying for position in his kingdom. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Those with spiritual eyes see it. Children are leading their own parents to Christ. So that we could know our Lord doesnt hold His children at a cosmic arms length. Boys . "The mystery of godliness" is a biblical phrase used to describe the ultimate paradox. He asks for our love: so he makes himself a child. "And when he was living as a man, he humbled himself and was fully obedient to God. Paul described Christs attitude in the Incarnation in this way: Why did Jesus come in this way? It was a sign for us. Why People Are Losing Their Religion (and How the Church Can California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. He lived the hardest things in life and yet stayed without sin following His Fathers will. All the waiting to live out His calling and its simply too big to wrap my mind around that God chose all that as part of His coming to save us. Gods ways are often hidden. Keep It Positive For Life. For me, however, I like to think Jesus came to earth as a helpless babe, lying in a manger for a different reason. Even Philip said, Can anything good come out of Nazareth? (John 1:46). Or He could have created Him in the same way as He made Adam, who was formed from dust into a man and placed on the earth (Genesis 2:7). Only because this is true can he reconcile the Father in heaven with his children on earth. In the Old Testament, this promise was made to King David. God's way is different, says Stewart, 12: "If Jesus didn't come as a baby, people would be convinced immediately that he was the Son of God.". Who is more vulnerable, needy, and dependent than a baby? The angel says of Jesus "his kingdom will never end". Sorry, I digress. We feel wanted and set free. Soon its Christmas, and we celebrate Jesus birth. Most of His life was not spent teaching and healing on the way to the Cross. He had to be with us so that we could know He was for us. I know what it is like to be weak, cold, hungry, the whole Christmas story testifies. In other instances, miscarriages are caused by uterine malformations . Not a man. Might there have been a development, did He have to grow in wisdom just like the rest of us? In every temptation to sin He always refused to do his own will, and He did the will of his heavenly Father instead. Joseph was a humble carpenter, and while we dont know about Marys family, they were probably of similar social standing. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. He is just a more powerful version of us. 20 Great Bible Verses for Kids to Memorize. That they may be called trees of righteousness, Mankind is empowered by God, for sure! If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Let us then look into themand catch sight of Love Incarnate! Throughout Scripture, God spoke over His children words to quiet their fears but the most powerful words that hush my hearts anxieties is that no matter what I will be with you!. Thats why Jesus did not just come as a grown man to serve as a perfect sacrifice for our sins, bydying. He always overcame evil with good. But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! God incarnate arrives and He could not feed Himself, keep Himself warm or otherwise do anything for Himself. We are tempted towards these things, right? She didnt belong to an important family. He is with us! Soon its Christmas, and we celebrate Jesus birth. An agrarian society in the ancient world involved backbreaking labor, sweat, and toil. He was fully God and yet He wanted us to know He had come to be so thoroughly with us that He came as a baby! Memorize this truth: Philippians 2:6-8 quoted above. The answers they give are six reasons for Jesus' coming: to ransom many, to call sinners, to give sight to the morally blind, Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. "God sent our Savior as a baby because when babies are born, everybody thinks they are special," adds Buck, age unknown. Joseph and Mary had to admit that here was a baby who seemed, at first glance, like any other newborn child. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. ", Richard is on the right track because an angel warned Joseph in a dream to flee to Egypt. The cost of Jesus obedience when faced with the cross is so hard on His flesh that blood is coming out of His pores. If he was big, he would be easily tracked., An angel warned Joseph in a dream to flee to Egypt. exactly like we are, but did not sin. Jesus' kingdom, however, will be more than just a political or geographical area. But He never repaid evil with evil. That closeness with a little one has such a positive, generating effect on us. It is only after Jesus spends 40 days in the Wilderness that Satan shows up and tempts Him. The greatest drama in all history unfolded that night in Bethlehem, yet VIPs were conspicuously absent. He started as a baby and showed us what is well-pleasing in Gods sight, by. Second, God wanted people to come to Jesus in faith, not simply cower as a result of seeing an overt display of his power. I sure have. And yet, Jesus does not relent. This verse always gives me comfort and hope. Most of all, we silently thank the Lord over and over for a gift so unimaginably wonderful. That God came as a baby and didnt just appear as a fully-grown man in the prime of life, was part of Gods plan to be a sign to us! So Jesus was born without the aid of a human father. When there is a baby there with us, why is it that everyone wants to hold the baby? We know the price of our sins is on the table, being paid in full with no credit plans or easy payment schedules, but by every last drop of blood and every brutal slash of the whip. I love that my King chose to humble Himself and pour Himself out in the form of an infant. During his ministry, Jesus spoke of those who have eyes to see and ears to hear. He might have felt it was unfair, He might have been tempted to repay evil with evil. Its subtle, small and seemingly insignificant. Can you imagine how intently Joseph and Mary must have studied the Child who came to them in Bethlehem? The witnesses are Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, and the writer to the Hebrews. to deliver us from sin and death, then why was Jesus Christ born as a baby? in every respect! 17 Encouraging Bible Verses for Surgery (KJV), 9 Comforting Scriptures for a Child Before Surgery. No, he was born into a family because families are important to God. We see him at the Temple as a boy on the verge of maturity, already about his Father's business. A Prayer to Remain Present - Your Daily Prayer - June 26, A Powerful Morning Prayer to Start Each Day. An angel announced the birth of the Savior to shepherds watching over their flocks by night, not to government officials in Jerusalem or Rome. , when He said that in him all the nations would be blessed which according to apostle Paul refers to Christ, the offspring of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3, Galatians 3). Why Did Jesus Come as a Baby? Luke 1:26-56 and 2:1-21 (NIV) Chapter 1. Local Churches Are an Essential Part of Gods Plan to Reach the World through Missions, Flat Tires, Frustrations and Always Being Ready to Evangelize, First Person: Report from a Missionary in South Asia. He obeyed even when that caused his death -- death on a cross" (Philippians 2:6-8). 28 The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! She was just a humble, God-fearing girl, a virgin, who had found favor in the eyes of the Lord. I am thankful that Jesus was willing to walk in my shoes and experience the normal life we each lead, tempted by the flesh, but choosing to serve God. When we walk in His footsteps, we will be transformed into His image, the One who did not sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth (1 Peter 2:21-23). He arrives into the arms of a poor teenage girl and her husband in a manger of all places. Instead, we see him as a child in a manger. KIPFL. How can we take comfort from Jesus' coming as a baby? But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. Hope. "The mystery of godliness". And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; Taken from"Why the Nativity?" Whats your view: why did Jesus come as a baby? Jesus was tempted like us and experienced life and death like us. 2. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. Manage Settings Why Did God Send Jesus to Earth? One of my favorite moments from the life of Jesus is when He is in the synagogue at Nazareth, His hometown and reads from the scroll of Isaiah then does the mic drop sit down Today this has been fulfilled in your presence. Reading through the Bible I discovered this was Gods plan from the beginning. As I watch my son grow, sometimes I remember my own struggles to grow and then consider how God came and lived as a kid. He could have jumped right into ministry at 30 years of age and shortened His time away from heaven. St. Bernard says that "Jesus comes as a. God affirmed this promise to Abraham, when He said that in him all the nations would be blessed - which according to apostle Paul refers to Christ, the offspring of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3, Galatians 3). Jesus could have descended to Earth flanked by thousands of angels. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:2829). God wants our first impression of him to be of someone who does not judge. The greatest drama in all history unfolded that night in Bethlehem, yet VIPs were conspicuously absent. Entrust your prayer intentions to our network of monasteries. "I think a baby is a sign of love," says Casey, age 9. What Is Baptism? Nothing about his humanity could detract from his godliness; nothing about his godliness could detract from his humanity. He comes to the earth from outside, pure and clean, and he is in no way a product of this world. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son What caught my eye are the next two verses: He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. He felt the pain of the cross, He was hungry and tired, endured traffic jams of people, politics that He wouldnt have chosen, slept in random places because His ministry required it, and He even lived, speculatively, through diapers, teething, acne, and just all of it!
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