The Child Born For the Purpose of Dying

Good Shepherd Community Church

Christians remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus, son of Mary. Traditionally this has been done throughout many centuries either on January 6 or December 25. The date of his birth is never revealed, but the fact of his birth is essential for the salvation of people. The death of the Messiah Jesus by crucifixion was decreed by God from all eternity. He is the Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8, 1 Peter 1:19-20, Acts 2:23). In order for him to make the one real and sufficient sacrifice for sin it was necessary for the Word, the Son, to assume humanity in a mortal body. Although death had no claim on him he was born the sinless holy son of Mary in order that he might as a man in the prime of his life lay down his life in death on behalf of humans. All people die because they are born sinful in Adam. Because of the virgin birth through the power by the Holy Spirit Jesus was not born in Adam (Romans 5:16-19). Thus he could offer his sinless body as the sacrifice for the sins of his people (Hebrews 2: 10-15, Hebrews 10: 3-10, John 10:17-18, Isaiah 53). The hymnist Charles Wesley expressed it thusly:Christ, by highest Heaven adored;Christ the everlasting Lord;Late in time, behold Him come,Offspring of a virgin's womb.Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;Hail th' Incarnate Deity,Pleased as man with men to dwell,Jesus our Emmanuel. Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace!Hail the Sun of Righteousness!Light and life to all He brings,Risen with healing in His wings.Mild He lays His glory by,Born that man no more may die.Born to raise the sons of earth,Born to give them second birth.