As we approach another Christmas, a time for celebrating the coming of our Savior, my thoughts and study have led me to ponder the relationship between God the Father and His Son, Jesus.
Two of my nephews became first time fathers in the last few months. Tom had a son and David had a daughter. It’s obvious they are crazy about these precious children, so much so that I am confident they would give their lives for them. My grand-niece and -nephew’s fathers have hopes and dreams for the success, health, fulfillment, goodness, and wholeness of their kids.
Likewise, as I read scripture and the account of the birth of Jesus Christ,I see no different delight in the Father at the human birth of His one and only Son. However, God the Father’s purpose in sending Jesus to become a baby and then a man, was for Jesus to ultimately take on the sin, sorrow, failings, brokenness and depravity of humankind; to allow the sinless Son of God to experience the disgusting thoughts and acts (yours and mine) of humankind, all while being separated from His Father on the cross of Calvary. I wondered how a loving Father could intentionally plan and allow the torturing of his Son’s body and the pollution of his human mind and soul during those hours on the cross.
The Scripture is resplendent with answers. Love allowed it. The love of a Father for the world, His creation. John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave is one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through him. “
In John 17, we see the love of the Father for His Son. Jesus had confidence in His Father’s love as he prays to His Father in verse 26, “I made known to them your name, and I will make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them and I in them.” There was never any question in the mind of Christ about the Father’s love for Him, nor His purpose in being born into the world he himself created.
In John 12:23 and 27, Jesus said as he was preparing to be crucified, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified…Now my heart is troubled and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour?’ No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!”
I can imagine a conversation after the Fall of Adam and Eve between the persons of the Godhead.
“We want a relationship with our creation, to know them, to love them; for them to know and love us. They need our strength and wisdom to navigate life. We want them to know the love that we have for one another; to experience the joy of having us at the forefront of their hearts, minds, plans and decisions. But their disobedience in the Garden proved their propensity to do things their own way; it revealed the weak wills of our creation. Now their sin has eternally separated them from us. Only a perfect sacrifice for that sin will provide an unbroken relationship with us. The sin must be atoned for. However, being sinful, they cannot atone for sin themselves. Only pure sinlessness and undiluted holiness can take it on. No amount of human self-effort will do it. None of their self-loathing or continual confessions will solve this problem. Not even good works or selfless living can accomplish what only holiness can. Who is worthy of carrying the burden of sin for the entire world, to free mankind from eternal separation from us? We alone are holy. We alone are worthy. We alone are God. One of us must make atonement and take the punishment they deserve.’ Willingly the Son offered: ‘I’ll go. I’ll do it. I can’t bear the thought of them dying in their sin and being separated from us for eternity. I’ll go. Send me, Father. Send me.’”
As inventive as that scenario might be (compared to how it must have happened), it shows our utter helplessness to get right with God on our own.
Christmas is about a heavenly plan put into action.
First His birth.
Then His life.
Next His death.
Then His resurrection.
God became man.
Man became accepted.
God was glorified.
Man was freed.
At this season, I pray our focus will remain on the truth that Christmas is about redemption, sacrifice, hope, eternity, and most of all, love – love between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and their love for us - to God be the glory.
Merry Christmas!
Read
Revelation 5:1-7
1 Samuel 12:22
Luke 2
Isaiah 53
Colossians 2:21-22
Reflect
Do I celebrate the gift of Jesus in this Christmas season?
If not, what can I do to change that personally and in my family?
Do my children (or grandchildren) know the Christmas story or is it all about getting gifts?
Am I living in gratitude for Jesus’ gift of salvation?
Do others know that Christmas is my home is about the gift of Jesus to the world?
Respond
Father, how grateful I am that you loved us so much that you allowed your Son to be born a God-man to take on the sins of the world. I celebrate you this season and always, as I remember and proclaim the love I have for you, that you first had for your Son. I accept the sacrifice of Jesus on my behalf and desire to live a life that will glorify you always. By the strength that Jesus offers, Amen.
Two of my nephews became first time fathers in the last few months. Tom had a son and David had a daughter. It’s obvious they are crazy about these precious children, so much so that I am confident they would give their lives for them. My grand-niece and -nephew’s fathers have hopes and dreams for the success, health, fulfillment, goodness, and wholeness of their kids.
Likewise, as I read scripture and the account of the birth of Jesus Christ,I see no different delight in the Father at the human birth of His one and only Son. However, God the Father’s purpose in sending Jesus to become a baby and then a man, was for Jesus to ultimately take on the sin, sorrow, failings, brokenness and depravity of humankind; to allow the sinless Son of God to experience the disgusting thoughts and acts (yours and mine) of humankind, all while being separated from His Father on the cross of Calvary. I wondered how a loving Father could intentionally plan and allow the torturing of his Son’s body and the pollution of his human mind and soul during those hours on the cross.
The Scripture is resplendent with answers. Love allowed it. The love of a Father for the world, His creation. John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave is one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through him. “
In John 17, we see the love of the Father for His Son. Jesus had confidence in His Father’s love as he prays to His Father in verse 26, “I made known to them your name, and I will make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them and I in them.” There was never any question in the mind of Christ about the Father’s love for Him, nor His purpose in being born into the world he himself created.
In John 12:23 and 27, Jesus said as he was preparing to be crucified, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified…Now my heart is troubled and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour?’ No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!”
I can imagine a conversation after the Fall of Adam and Eve between the persons of the Godhead.
“We want a relationship with our creation, to know them, to love them; for them to know and love us. They need our strength and wisdom to navigate life. We want them to know the love that we have for one another; to experience the joy of having us at the forefront of their hearts, minds, plans and decisions. But their disobedience in the Garden proved their propensity to do things their own way; it revealed the weak wills of our creation. Now their sin has eternally separated them from us. Only a perfect sacrifice for that sin will provide an unbroken relationship with us. The sin must be atoned for. However, being sinful, they cannot atone for sin themselves. Only pure sinlessness and undiluted holiness can take it on. No amount of human self-effort will do it. None of their self-loathing or continual confessions will solve this problem. Not even good works or selfless living can accomplish what only holiness can. Who is worthy of carrying the burden of sin for the entire world, to free mankind from eternal separation from us? We alone are holy. We alone are worthy. We alone are God. One of us must make atonement and take the punishment they deserve.’ Willingly the Son offered: ‘I’ll go. I’ll do it. I can’t bear the thought of them dying in their sin and being separated from us for eternity. I’ll go. Send me, Father. Send me.’”
As inventive as that scenario might be (compared to how it must have happened), it shows our utter helplessness to get right with God on our own.
Christmas is about a heavenly plan put into action.
First His birth.
Then His life.
Next His death.
Then His resurrection.
God became man.
Man became accepted.
God was glorified.
Man was freed.
At this season, I pray our focus will remain on the truth that Christmas is about redemption, sacrifice, hope, eternity, and most of all, love – love between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and their love for us - to God be the glory.
Merry Christmas!
Read
Revelation 5:1-7
1 Samuel 12:22
Luke 2
Isaiah 53
Colossians 2:21-22
Reflect
Do I celebrate the gift of Jesus in this Christmas season?
If not, what can I do to change that personally and in my family?
Do my children (or grandchildren) know the Christmas story or is it all about getting gifts?
Am I living in gratitude for Jesus’ gift of salvation?
Do others know that Christmas is my home is about the gift of Jesus to the world?
Respond
Father, how grateful I am that you loved us so much that you allowed your Son to be born a God-man to take on the sins of the world. I celebrate you this season and always, as I remember and proclaim the love I have for you, that you first had for your Son. I accept the sacrifice of Jesus on my behalf and desire to live a life that will glorify you always. By the strength that Jesus offers, Amen.
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