At this time of year, much of the religious world is focused on the birth of Jesus. Yet do we understand why He was born? Jesus is eternal (John 1:1-2) and is the all-powerful Creator (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17). What purpose did it serve to have Deity come to earth to dwell in bodily form (Colossians 2:9)?
If we do not know why Jesus came to earth, then remembering His birth is futile. The answer to our question is found in the book of Hebrews.
“Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.
“For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. Therefore, 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 2:14-17).
The sad reality is that all men have sinned (Romans 3:23) and are deserving of spiritual death (Romans 6:23). Propitiation (atonement) had to be made for man so that we could have the chance to escape this death. Under the Law of Moses, the Jews offered animal sacrifices; but these by themselves could not atone for sins (Hebrews 10:4). Something else had to be done – “a body You have prepared for Me” (Hebrews 10:5). Jesus needed to come in flesh and blood so that He could provide that atoning sacrifice, for “without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22).
Therefore, Jesus offered up His life and shed His blood on the cross. We can be “sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ” (Hebrews 10:10). His blood can “cleanse your conscience” (Hebrews 9:14). Without this sacrifice, we would be without hope. This is why Jesus was born – so that He could have a flesh and blood body to offer on the cross for our sins. This was part of God’s plan – “the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ephesians 3:11).
At this point, I should make a comment about the religious observance of Christmas. Jesus’ birth was an essential part of God’s scheme of redemption. Having a body to offer and blood to shed necessitated a physical birth. Yet neither Jesus nor the Holy Spirit taught that we should commemorate the birth of Christ. Instead, Jesus gave specific instructions about what we are to commemorate:
“While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body.’ And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins’” (Matthew 26:26-28).
We are to commemorate the offering of Jesus’ body and blood by partaking of the Lord’s Supper. Paul repeated these instructions in his letter to the church in Corinth (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). We also have examples of the church observing this memorial on the first day of the week (Acts 2:42; 20:7). We find no such instructions or examples regarding a commemoration of the birth of Christ.
Was Jesus’ birth important? Absolutely! But let us be sure to honor Christ by following the observance which He instituted. And let us shape our religious practices and beliefs not according to the world around us, but rather according to His word.
Born to suffer and die on the cross defy logic given to us by God. JESUS
said he would be betrayed, but never said God wanted him to be crusified. God is not blood thirsty. That was the work of man-Us.
“This Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death” (Acts 2:23). Yes, the hands of man put Jesus to death, but it was foreordained by God and He delivered His Son to them. Notice this conversation with Peter:
“From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.’ But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s” (Matthew 16:21-23).
Jesus certainly came to die on the cross. Read Psalm 22 (among other passages) and see how clearly it was prophesied about. Peter’s suggestion that this was not the will of God (“God forbid it”) was in line with the thinking of the devil (which is why Jesus called him, Satan). To suggest that Jesus’ death on the cross was not part of God’s plan is to put one on the side of Satan.