SEVEN THINGS THE BIRTH OF JESUS MEANS TO BELIEVERS
Mat. 1:21-23 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Every year most of the western world pauses to pay its respects, as it were, to the birth of Jesus Christ, a Jew who was born in Palestine some 2,000 years ago, and the Founder of Christianity.
The 39 books of the Old Testament, which were written hundreds of years before the birth of Christ, proclaimed by shadows and types, and by numerous prophesies that He would one day be born of the Jewish people and nation, to be their deliverer. Sad to say, but most Jews today deny that Jesus was their promised Messiah and Saviour.
The 27 books of the New Testament were written, among other things, to attest to the fact that Jesus truly was born into the world, and that He was in fact the very Person that the Old Testament claimed that He would be.
The truth of the matter is, Jesus wasn’t born on December 25, or even in the month of December at all. According to the most knowledgeable theologians and historians, He was probably born sometime between mid August and mid October.
Furthermore, in New Testament times Christians and churches didn’t celebrate "Christmas" or the birth of Christ at all as a special holiday. This practice is relatively new, and completely foreign to the Scriptures.
All of the hoopla that is associated with this holiday, has nothing whatsoever to do with the birth of Christ. What does Santa Claus and elves, exchanging of gifts, colored lights, “Christmas” trees, madness in the market place, drunken parties, and uncontrolled greed have to do with the birth of the holy child Jesus?
None of these practices are Biblical. The Bible does not teach either by precept or example, to practice any of these traditions in celebration of the birth of Christ. I wonder if people would continue to celebrate this holiday if these man-made traditions were removed? I seriously doubt it.
However, because we believe that Jesus truly was born into the world, and that He truly is the Christ of both the Old and New Testaments, His birth has great meaning to believers.
In this article, we want to notice seven of the many things that the birth of Jesus means to all who have come to trust under the shadow of His wings.
1.
First, the birth of Jesus attests to the fact that the Bible is true.
The 66 books of the Bible, written by over 40 men from various walks of life over a period of 1500 years, declare the birth and the life of Jesus Christ in remarkable detail, and without any known contradictions! Of what other historic record known to man could this be said? Yes, the birth of Jesus means the Bible record must be true.
The Bible is the foundation of all truth, and it is our strong city, our high tower, and the bulwark of our faith. The Christian faith stands or falls on its verity and its unfailing accuracy. Beloved friends, the birth of Jesus stands as a beacon, shining forth the immutability, and the eternal infallibility of the Bible.
2.
Secondly, the birth of Jesus attests to the existence of God.
Because the Jesus of the Bible was born into the world, the God of the Bible must also exist. The Bible declares that God sent His Son Jesus into the World…
1 Jo. 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
The God of the Bible, who authored and inspired the Bible, also planned in eternity past for Jesus to be born into the world at His appointed time (Eph. 1:4; Gal. 4:4). Not only this, but He also planned how, when, and where Jesus would be born, and every minute detail about His life and even about His death!
Yes beloved friends, God must exist to have perfectly orchestrated all of these obscure, and intricate events of time and eternity.
Furthermore, the only way that mankind could truly know God is through His Son. Otherwise, He would be to us as nothing more than an impersonal Creator, who could not be known or touched by lowly men, as the Gnostics of old believed Him to be.
The birth of Jesus declared and manifested the personal God of Heaven unto men...
Joh. 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
And through the birth of His Son, the personal God of Heaven manifested His love unto the world...
Joh. 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
3.
Thirdly, the very fact of Jesus’ birth attests that He was born of a virgin.
The Bible declares in both the Old and New Testaments that Jesus would be born of a virgin…
Isa. 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Mat. 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
His virgin birth means that He had no earthly father, and no sinful nature as all other men are born with. This means that Jesus was the only perfect, holy, and sinless Son of Man, who was suitable to be our Saviour.
Because of His virgin birth, Jesus had no sin. Please observe…
1)
Jesus had no sin externally…
1 Pet. 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
2)
He had no sin internally…
1 Jo. 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
3)
He had no sin experimentally…
Heb. 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
4)
He had no guilt record, or sin accountability…
Joh. 8:46a Which of you
convinceth me of sin?
5)
He had no sin susceptibility…
Heb. 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
And because of His virgin birth, Jesus was impeccable, and therefore He could not sin...
Lu. 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Therefore, because the Jesus of the Bible was in fact born into the world as the Scriptures teach, then He must have been born of a virgin.
4. Fourthly, the birth of
Jesus attests to the fact that He is God.
The Bible teaches that Jesus is the Son of God, and God the Son.
The demons knew it…
Mat. 8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
The disciples confessed it…
Mat. 14:32-33 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
God the Father declared it…
Mat. 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Jesus Himself proclaimed it…
Joh. 3:16 For God so loved the
world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him
should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The soldiers that crucified Him acknowledged it…
Mat. 27:54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
And the Bible was written so that sinners might believe it…
Joh. 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
5.
Fifthly, the birth of Jesus attests to the fact that all men are sinners.
Jesus was born for the very purpose of saving sinners from their sins…
Mat. 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
1 Tim. 1:15 This is a
faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the
world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
Because Jesus was born into the world to save sinners, this means that all men must be sinners, just like the Bible plainly teaches…
Rom. 3:23 For all have sinned,
and come short of the glory of God;
6.
Sixthly, Jesus was born to die for sinners.
The very purpose why Jesus was
born was to die for sinners. Jesus was predestinated and foreordained before
the foundation of the world to be "brought as a lamb to the
slaughter."
The same Bible that declares His birth, also declares His death on the cross for sinners to save them from their sins and the eternal judgment of God Almighty. Please notice the following verses:
Mat. 20:28 Even as the Son of
man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a
ransom for many.
Joh. 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd
giveth his life for the sheep.
Tit. 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might
redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous
of good works.
1 Pet. 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own
body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness:
by whose stripes ye were healed.
1 Pet. 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
Beloved, Jesus is not divided. If we say that we believe in His birth, yet fail to believe in His death, burial, and resurrection for our sins, then His birth means nothing to us and will do us no good!
7.
Seventhly, the birth of Jesus confirms that He is coming again.
The same Jesus who came down from Heaven to be born of a virgin, is also coming again a second time…
Heb. 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
The first time He came as the sacrificial “Lamb of God” (Joh. 1:29) to “…save His people from their sins” (Mat. 1:21), but the next time He is coming to glorify His saints and to be glorified in them (Col. 3:4; 2 Thes. 1:10), and then He is coming to judge the world (Acts 17:31).
The same meek and lowly Jesus who came as the Lamb of God to “save His people from there sins,” is coming again as the “Lion of the tribe of Juda” (Rev. 5:5), and “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thes. 1:8).
Yes beloved, this same Jesus, who was born of a virgin, who died on that cross, was buried and rose again the third day, who ascended back to Heaven’s glory from whence He came, will so come again to judge and make war, and to rule and reign upon the throne of David! Are you ready to meet Him this morning?
Conclusion:
In conclusion, I do want to say something in favor of the “Christmas” holiday. Beloved, God will judge men according to what they say that they believe.
If we say that we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on “Christmas”, then please consider the following questions?
1. Do you believe that the Bible is true? The Bible is the foundation of the faith.
2. Do you truly believe in the God of the Bible. To please Him we must first believe that He is… (Heb. 11:6)?
3. Do you believe that Jesus was in fact born of a virgin? He must have been born of a virgin to be our Saviour!
4. Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God? You must believe this to be saved.
5. Do you believe that you are a sinner, worthy of the wrath of God? You must see yourself as a sinner, if you will ever be saved.
6. Do you believe that Jesus Christ died on that cross to pay your sin debt, that He was buried in a tomb, and that He rose again the third day for you? This is the Gospel!
7. Finally, do you believe that Jesus is coming again for you?
If you truly believe these things, then you can be sure that you are saved by the grace of God! But if you do not believe, then you are still lost in your sins under the wrath of God.
And though you say that you celebrate the birth of Jesus, this will not earn you any favor with God. The fact is, celebrating the birth of Jesus will be a witness against you in the day of judgment, if you do not trust Him for salvation.
You must believe that Jesus died on the cross for you, that He was buried in the tomb, and rose again the third day.