Mission Venture Ministries

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14) 

Over 2000 years ago Jesus descended from His majestic position in heaven and was made in the likeness of men through Mary’s miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit. Jesus became totally human assuming human flesh, in this way divinity and humanity came together in perfect unity. He experienced the normal growth process (Luke 2:40), had natural physical needs (John 19:28) and human emotions (Matthew 26:38). He grew in knowledge (Luke 2:52), and died a physical death (Luke 23:46), and was resurrected with a physical body (Luke 24:39). Jesus was human in every way except for sin; since He lived a completely sinless life (Hebrews 4:15). He was born like us so that we might become like Him. Jesus had to become one of us so that He could be our Kinsmen Redeemer. 

We first see the kinsmen redeemer thru Boaz in the book of Ruth and then Christ paid the high price associated with the redemption of lost humanity (1 Corinthians 6:20). Boaz was willing to be the kinsmen redeemer for Ruth (Ruth 3), and Christ was equally willing to redeem mankind (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45; John 10:15-18; Hebrews 10:7; 1 John 3:16). The redeemer Boaz took Ruth as a Gentile bride as Christ also took a Gentile bride the Church. 

This is such an amazing testimony of God’s profound and unfathomable love and wisdom. He provided a way to redeem sinful mankind without violating His unchangeable attributes of holiness, righteousness and justice, while at the same time displaying His love, mercy and amazing grace. “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” (Romans 11:33). 

In light of this awesome reality, the incarnation of Jesus was the ultimate demonstration of love when the Creator took on the form of the created, and the Infinite became the Finite. “Although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:6-8). 

The Lord Jesus was born to die as a substitute for His people, and did for us what we could never do for ourselves. The perfect High Priest, offered Himself, the perfect Sacrifice, to a perfect God who demands perfection, and then declared in victory, “It is finished” (John 19:30). And “who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

When the Lord picked Abraham to become the father of His chosen nation, He promised that in him, all the families of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). Then as Abraham’s descendants multiplied, the Lord identified the tribe of Judah as the line through which this promised One would come. And eventually, He revealed that David would be the ancestor of Israel’s coming King (Jeremiah 33:14-15).

The prophet Isaiah provided further details when he wrote, “Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). Since this name means “God with us,” it’s filled with the promise of His presence. Although the Lord had been with His people from beginning of creation, the hour had come for Him to dwell with them in a very unique way; the eternal God of the universe was going to enter the human race through a physical birth, to live among His people as a man while never ceasing to be God.

“He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17). And as our High Priest, “He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). 

God “seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come” (Ephesians 1:20-21). His crown of thorns was exchanged for the crown of a King and the suffering Servant was exalted to be the King of kings. “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen” (1 Timothy 1:17). Therefore, He is worthy of all of our praise and worship now and forever! 

God became a perfect man to satisfy divine justice as a sinless substitute for His people. Immanuel would be physically present on earth, walking among His people, revealing the Father to them, teaching precious truths, showing them how to live, and healing the sick.

When Jesus physically left this earth after His death and resurrection, He promised not to leave His disciples as orphans as He would ask the Father to send His Holy Spirit to live in them forever (John 14:16-18). And that is still His promise to every believer today. Jesus Christ is not only our Savior, He’s our constant Companion, Comforter and Guide, who will never leave or forsake us.

May your Christmas be blessed knowing that Jesus is the reason for the season, bringing us the promise of forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life – Amen!

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