The Incarnation of Jesus Christ

Introduction:

It is officially Christmas time and for most of our culture that means presents and parties. And while there’s nothing wrong with either of those things, I want us to take some time to consider the meaning of Christmas in hopes that it will cause us to appreciate this time of year and to approach it with a heart of thankfulness to the Lord.

So, what exactly is this all about? Well, if you’ve grown up in the South, it’s not unusual for us to drive around at night during this time of year and to see a little nativity scene set up where there is a plastic Joseph and Mary, wise men, and several animals all facing a little manger with a baby in it. But if we don’t think too much more about that, we are going to really miss out on it’s significance.

What that nativity scene is picturing for us is what is known as the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Or, to put it simply, it’s about the Son of God robing Himself in human flesh to come and dwell among us. So, what is the significance of all of this? Well, to put it plainly, if there is no incarnation, there is not Christianity and there is no hope for the world. So, as we look at Hebrews 2:5-18 today, I want us to find three things that flow from the incarnation that we should consider not only this Christmas, but regularly.

Hebrews 2:5–18 NKJV

5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. 6 But one testified in a certain place, saying: “What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him? 7 You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands. 8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying: “I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.” 13 And again: “I will put My trust in Him.” And again: “Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.” 14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

The firs thing I was us to notice is:

Jesus robed Himself in flesh for our redemption’s sake.

This passage gets a little heavy to navigate, but in verse 5-8, we find that the writer is depicting the life of Christ. As we know from our time in Genesis, God created us to rule the world. The problem was that we fell into sin and rebelled against God’s commands to us. We were hopeless, we were fallen, and we were in rebellion against God. So, in verse 5-8, we find that the writer is depicting the life of Christ.

The plan that God had for fixing the mess we were in was in coming to the earth to do what we could not do. And that is what verse 6-7 talks about when it mentions Jesus being made lower than the angels. What we see here is that whenever we doubt the care of God for us, we look at Jesus and it is in Him that we are reminded of the love of God and how He thinks of us since He sent His own son down here.

Jesus stepped into this life of ours, He felt the hurt and pain that we did, He witnessed the sinfulness of men and what was the result of His time here? Death, but not because He did any wrong. Instead, He did everything right and came and took all of our sin and died for us. In verse 7, it switches immediately from being made low, to being exalted high. This is referring to the ascension of Jesus after He rose from the dead and what did God do as a result of His suffering? Verse 8-9 gives us two things. First, He exalted Jesus to rule over everything. Second, He came to earth to die for us.

What is the meaning of Christmas? It is that God gave us the universes greatest gift when He sent His Son to come and die that we might be redeemed. Christmas in our culture has become all about getting more stuff and satisfying our selfishness, but that’s totally opposite of the meaning. Jesus looked at us, He saw how we were bound to all of these idols we had, and He came and gave Himself as a gift to redeem us from these things we are slaves to.

The whole reason God robbed Himself in human flesh was to save us from our sins and to ensure that we would one day live and reign with Him forever.

Jesus suffered in our place and isn’t mad about it.

Have you ever had your parents ask you to do something that you didn’t want to do, but you did it just so you wouldn’t get in trouble? Not that you wanted to do it, or were even happy about it, but you just did it to get it over with? I have a family member who always demands they do a lot of the preparation for our family gatherings back in SC, but the thing is that they demand they do it, but act mad the whole time they get it all done.

Well, regardless of whether you know what I am talking about or not, I want you to understand that Jesus did for you what you could never do, and He isn’t mad about it. Hebrews 2:10

Hebrews 2:10 NKJV

10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

Now, this isn’t saying that Jesus wasn’t perfect before and had to be made sinless. This is referring to Him becoming qualified to be the pioneer of our salvation. It’s saying that Jesus suffered through serious temptation and trials for our sake. Hebrews 2:11

Hebrews 2:11 NKJV

11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,

What this passage is saying is that the sanctifier, who is Jesus, has been sent by the Father to come and do a work that will sanctify His people. By Jesus identifying with us and setting us aside as sanctified people, He is happy to call us brothers. This means that Jesus came on a mission, suffered for us, accomplished His task and doesn’t look at us like baggage. He is happy with us. He bore our shame, He made us His own blood bought people, and He isn’t ashamed of us.

The writer goes on to quote from Psalm 22 and Isaiah 8:17-18 and he uses these passages to show us that in the middle of Christ’s suffering, He had the will of the Father and the good of His children on His mind. Jesus was completely committed to the will of the Father.

Jesus can sympathize with us in our weakness.

In verse 14, we find that Jesus, by identifying with us by assuming a human body, died the death that we deserved and through that He conquered Satan and freed us from our bondage to sin and our fear of death. Verse 16 says that He did this to give aid to the seed of Abraham. Now, I don’t think this is referring to the physical Jews, but according to what Galatians tells us is that those who believe Jesus are the spiritual seed of Abraham.

In all of this, He became like us and because of that He is merciful. John Owen says, “He was misericors, one who lays all the miseries of his people to heart, so caring for them, to relieve them.” And not only that, but He is a faithful High Priest. This doesn’t meant that He’s faithful to do His job, though He was. But it means that He is committed to us with care and compassion even when we are suffering. And as the High Priest, He is not only the One making the sacrifice, but He is the One sacrificing Himself and He did that as the propitiation for our sins. That word propitiation means that Jesus satisfied the wrath of God and removed our guilt from us.

Finally, Hebrews 2:18

Hebrews 2:18 NKJV

18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

What does this mean? It means that because of how much Jesus suffered in His life, He is able to sympathize with you while you are being tempted and knows what you need. John Owen writes, “There are three things that tempted believers are in special need of. First, they need strength to withstand their temptations so that they are not overcome by them; second, they need consolation to strengthen their spirits; and, third, they need deliverance from the temptations. Our high priest is suitably endowed to provide all the help that the tempted need.”

So, tonight I want you to remember three things when you think about the incarnation of Jesus Christ.

When you feel like the world is falling apart and things are wrong, remember that Jesus has overcome the world.

When you find yourself struggling with sin and feel as though you can’t approach God, know that Jesus is not ashamed of you.

When you feel like no one gets you and no one cares, know that Jesus does.