“A man who is satisfied with his own righteousness, does not prize Christ.”
Thomas Manton
The angel announced to the shepherds, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (see Luke 2) The wonder of the incarnation had arrived. It landed at the feet of the lowly and the humble, the shepherds. The greatest announcement in the history of the world, no, the universe, was not delivered in the halls of Herod or before Caeser Augustus. It was proclaimed to the shepherds and they were to be encouraged because the message was “unto you.” It was for them, for their benefit and advantage. It was also for “all the people.” At first, the focus was on Israel but if you follow Luke through his gospel and through the book of Acts, it will soon become clear that “all the people” included the Gentiles.
The incarnation was the Word become flesh. It was the Word of God tabernacling among men. Jesus Christ, very God of very God, mysterious, wholly God and wholly man, would now walk among men. John Milton puts it this way:
- That glorious Form, that Light unsufferable
- And that far-beaming blaze of Majesty,
- Wherewith he wont at Heav’n’s high council-table,
- To sit the midst of Trinal Unity,
- He laid aside, and here with us to be,
- Forsook the courts of everlasting day,
- And chose with us a darksome house of mortal clay.
The Son of God has come as the Son of Man (his favorite title for himself). He would choose to live in this “darksome house of mortal clay.” Why would he choose such a thing? Why would he suffer the normal indignities of life plus all the additional suffering that was to come? He would suffer so much that Isaiah would label him a “man of sorrows and well-acquainted with grief.” Why? The author of Hebrews tells us, “Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.” (Hebrews 5:8-9) Jesus was going to become the source of eternal salvation for all who would obey him. This Christmas we experience joy as we look to Jesus and see all the blessing and benefits associated with receiving him. Are you following him this Christmas season? Have a blessed Christmas and we will see many of you on Sunday.
Unto Him be the glory,
Pastor Dale
