God - the man

Those words seem quite contradictory - God, the man? Another mystery of God and another marvel of His provision of salvation. God the Son, the 2nd person of the Trinity became a man that we might be able to know God and be made fit to approach Him and stand in His presence. The God-man, God in the flesh, the all-powerful God clothed in frail humanity. The infinite God was found in the fashion of a finite man. God stepped down from His throne to walk with His enemies that He might save some. Incredible.

If you could somehow measure infinite measurements may I suggest that it was farther for Christ to go from heaven to Bethlehem, than from Bethlehem to the cross. In becoming human, the great provided became in need; the unsleeping protector needed rest; the untiring omnipotent one became exhausted. Why? To make a way such that we might enter into the very throne room of God and worship Him as He so rightly deserves, in purity and without end. The benefits that Christians get in this whole deal aren't bad either, but it is God who is our prize. Not our forgiveness, not freedom from punishment, not purpose and fulfillment in life, but we are reconciled to God and have a place in His kingdom. Go tell it on the mountain!

There is quite a good, from what I hear, movie out just now on the birth of Christ. It is interesting how little coverage or still this has seemed to make. Maybe people aren't as offended when it is a little baby in a manger instead of the Messiah on the cross. I don't know. But what I do know is that this movie portrays the start of the greatest event in history, the life of our Lord Jesus. In fact, deny Him as they will, every time someone writes a date on a cheque or form they are acknowledging the life of Christ. God in His grace reminds His creation through something as menial as writing out the year that He has indeed provided a Saviour for us in His Son.

Matthew 1.21 says that the child was to be called 'Jesus' because He would save His people from their sins. The historical fact of Christ's birth betrays our need of a saviour. Without sin Christ would not have had to come and die. That is repulsive to the human nature, but it is the only antidote for life. Let us rejoice in the goodness, grace, mercy, and love of God as remember the God-man this Christmas. May we marvel at our glorious Saviour, who maybe isn't so offensive in a manger, but will one day return to judge the quick and the dead. One day there will come an end to the scoffing and laughter shown towards a God who humbled himself to be born in the meanest of situations. If you want to be great ...serve, and follow the example of our Lord.