Our Christ

Introduction

In my opinion, there is one verse in all the Christmas story that summarizes why God gave us the precious gift of Jesus. It is found in Luke 2:11

Luke 2:11 NIV84

11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

We see prophecy fulfilled in naming of the town, but we also see the gospel presented, proclaimed and personalized.

The Gospel Presented

We see the gospel presented. The implication of a Savior being born shows our need for that Savior. The word for Savior means deliverer and preserver. Jesus was born to deliver us from sinfulness and to preserve our lives in His great care. We need that desperately! No wonder the angels proclaimed His birth as good news of great joy!

The Gospel Personalized

We also see that the Gospel is personalized. The Bible says that this Savior has been born to you. How beautiful is that? God so loved you and me that He brought forth His Son, a Savior for us! We can have a personal relationship with the Son of God which in turn gives us a personal relationship with God the Father!

The Gospel Proclaimed

We also see in this verse the Gospel proclaimed. It does this simply by saying, “He is Christ the Lord.” Have you made Jesus Lord of your life? He is either Lord of all or He is not Lord at all!

This incredible verse in the heart of the Christmas story fulfills three truths that we can declare about Jesus.

The Truth of His Pre-Existence

First, we see the truth of His pre-existence.

He has always existed

John 1:1 NIV84

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 17:5 NIV84

5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

John 17:24 NIV84

24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

Another truth of His pre-existence is that Jesus is God with us.

He is God with us

Isaiah 7:14 NIV84

14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

This is further explained in Matthew 1:23

Matthew 1:23 NIV84

23 “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.”

Another aspect of the truth of His pre-existence is that Jesus is the Son of God.

He is the Son of God

In fact, we see evidence of this in His coming into the world:

Luke 1:35 NIV84

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

We also see this evidence in His baptism.

Matthew 3:17 NIV84

17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

We see evidence in His resurrection:

Romans 1:4 NIV84

4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

And we see evidence of Jesus being the Son of God in His ascension:

Hebrews 1:3–4 NIV84

3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

Notice the truth of His perfection.

The Truth of His Perfection

Born of a virgin

The fact that Jesus was born to a virgin is a crucial aspect of who Jesus is. Jesus was truly human and truly divine. He did not inherit the curse of depravity that clings to the descendants of Adam. Sinners beget sinners. Psalm 51:5

Psalm 51:5 NIV84

5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

However Jesus was not. In fact, He was born to never sin.

Born to never sin

Hebrews 4:15 NIV84

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.

1 John 3:5 NIV84

5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin.

He also came into this world born to die.

Born to die

1 Timothy 1:15 NIV84

15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

We know that Jesus said Himself that He was to be killed and raised to life.

Matthew 16:21 NIV84

21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

The death and resurrection of Jesus leads us to the truth of His permanence.

The Truth of His Permanence

He died and rose again

Luke 24:6–7 NIV84

6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ”

Not only did He die and rise again once and for all conquering death, but He now reigns as King.

He reigns as King

Revelation 1:5–6 NIV84

5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

Revelation 17:14 NIV84

14 They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”

Another aspect of the truth of His permanence is that He promised to return.

He promised to return

Acts 1:11 NIV84

11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Acts 3:19–21 NIV84

19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21 He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.

So what does all this mean? It matters that Jesus was born the way He was born. The baby was born so that we might have the joy of Christmas every day and not just one day of the year. We are called to serve Him and follow Him.

1 John 2:28 (NIV84)

28 And now, dear children, continue in Him, so that when He appears we may be confident and unashamed before Him at his coming.