“God’s Gift to Mankind”

On the very first Christmas mankind was oblivious to all that was happening. Not much has changed. Many people want the celebration of Christmas. Many people look forward to the gifts and even time off of Christmas. Many retailers look forward to all the profits of Christmas, and yet the world wants to take Christ out of Christmas. The world doesn’t want to recognize the person behind Christmas. Church this season is called “CHRIST” MAS for a reason. So, as we prepare for Christmas we should remember just how wonderful the birth of Christ is. The Gospel of Matthew tells us in chapter one this good news.

Matthew 1:21 ESV

21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Jesus knew that in order to save His people from their sins that He would have to come and die for sin in order that there may be salvation. So, the important issue is not just that Christ came, but why did He come? Why did God the Father send His only Son? Salvation did not come in the birth of Christ. The perfect sinless life that Christ lived could not rescue us from our sins. Even the powerful messages that Christ taught could not save us. There was a price that had to be paid and someone had to die. Only Jesus could do this. We see through the book of Hebrews a look into what Christ knew and understood as He entered into this world. Would you turn with me to Hebrews chapter 10. The author of Hebrews is quoting from Psalm 40 verses 6-8.

Hebrews 10:5–7 ESV

5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; 6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’ ”

It is crazy to think that Jesus was going to come to earth and die for the sins of the world, and He knew all of this. He would willingly lay down His life. Jesus came to this earth to show mankind who His Father was. Jesus came to teach truth. He came to fulfill the law. He came to offer His kingdom. He came to show us how to live. He came to heal and minister to those who were in need just as many folks are today. But He also came to die. Now this may sound like terrible news especially during this Holiday season. But the death of Christ was not a tragedy. Why??? Because it shows us that the greatest victory over evil and Satan and sin was accomplished through the death and resurrection of Jesus. So, again why did God send His Son? Let me get you several reasons. Turn with me today to Hebrews chapter 2. Through our text we are going to see the importance of why God sent His Son. Let’s start in verse 9.

Hebrews 2:9–18 ESV

9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” 13 And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children God has given me.” 14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

God sent His Son First of all:

1. To Be Our Substitute.

Hebrews 2:9 ESV

Jesus who was the one who stepped out of heaven and came to this earth for a little while was made lower than the angels for a time. Now this does not mean that Christ became less than God or gave up His deity. However because He came to this earth and suffered, the suffering that He went through was the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor. No angel could die because only someone who was mortal who had flesh and blood could do this. Jesus had to die.

Jesus when He was nailed to the cross did this for you and for me. He died in our place and became our substitute for everyone who would believe in Him. That is why the author of Hebrews says that this is the “grace of God.” The Lord’s lovingkindness toward us is incredible and so very humbling. Christ choose to die for us solely on the basis of His sovereign goodwill. May we forever be thankful for the gift of Jesus, and the fact that He became our substitute. He died in our place. Wow!!! The second reason God sent His Son was this.

2. To Be The Founder of Our Salvation.

Hebrews 2:10 ESV

10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.

The role of Christ was to be the author of our salvation. Some translations here use the word author instead of founder and has the meaning of both leader and originator. It refers to someone who starts something for others to follow. What I want you to know today is that Jesus is the first and only initiator of salvation. Contrary to what our world says, there is no way to get to God apart from Jesus. Here are a few key verses to remind us of this. Here is what Christ said in the Gospel of John.

John 14:6 ESV

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

So, God’s Word is clear that there is only one path to God and Jesus is the founder.

Acts 4:12 ESV

12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Salvation is offered to us in Christ alone through faith alone by God’s grace alone. God gave us His Son so that you could have salvation. Would you trust in Christ today, before it’s too late? Another reason that God sent His Son was this.

3. To Sanctify His People.

Hebrews 2:11 ESV

11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers,

The word Sanctify means to set apart or make holy. Jesus is able to make holy because both He and we who are to be made holy belong to the same family. This family is the family of God. The phrase one source helps us to see the one is our Father. One of the greatest theological dilemmas of all time was taken care of at the cross. It was the question of how a holy God could communicate mercy and grace to a sinful people. Our sin demands death, and yet God’s lovingkindness and mercy are never ending. God loves sinners. So, Jesus resolved this problem and question by taking our punishment on Himself. Christ brought mercy and justice together at the cross and satisfied the demands of both. Jesus paid for all of our sins, past present and future. This is why He can righteously deal with us as if we were sinless. He has declared us holy.

Ephesians 1:4 ESV

4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

Of course we as fallen human beings are not without sin, but part of Christ’s sanctifying work is the transformation of our desires and actions. As Christians we should desire and want to obey and follow God as He conforms us to His image. As we grow in our relationship with Christ He is making us more and more like Himself. Christ has paid the penalty for sin in full, and our sins can never be brought up against us.

Romans 8:33 ESV

33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

No one, not even the accuser Satan can recall our sins to use them against us. Which leads us to another reason why God sent His Son.

4. To Conqueror Satan.

Hebrews 2:14–15 ESV

14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

Did you realize that one of the biggest reasons for Christ’s Incarnation was so that He could deliver a death blow to Satan. As Jesus came to share our flesh and blood He did this so that He could die a real death, and it is through this death that He has set us free from the fear of death. One of the first prophecy’s ever given about Jesus told us that He would crush the serpent’s head.

Genesis 3:15 ESV

15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

Here in the New Testament, is the good news that the ancient prophecy was fulfilled. Satan has a power and it is death. If Satan can keep a person living in sin until death, he has that person forever. Someone had to conquer death to destroy Satan’s weapon, and that is exactly what Jesus did when He came roaring out of the tomb. Jesus threw off the shackles of death and proclaimed.

John 14:19 ESV

19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.

This earth is just a temporary place. The good news today is that if you are a follower of Christ because He has defeated Satan and the grave we will live with him for all eternity in heaven. And because of this good news we can say with confidence.

1 Corinthians 15:55 ESV

55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

Here is the last thing I want you to see from our text. God sent His Son:

5. To Become Our Perfect High Priest.

Hebrews 2:17–18 ESV

17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

You may say yeah, so what is the big deal about this? Christ was made like us in every respect and yet He was without sin. In order for Christ to become our sympathetic high priest, He had to become man. Priests must be chosen from among the community they serve so that they can both represent them and also empathize with their problems. So Jesus our high priest is merciful because he knows what it is like to be human and He can faithfully represent us in service to God. A High Priest is a mediator between men and God. The Perfect high priest Jesus would be someone who was both God and man. That is exactly who Jesus Christ is, the perfect mediator. Here is what we know about our High Priest.

Hebrews 4:15 ESV

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

-Jesus is able to sympathize with us in every way.

-Jesus got hungry just like we do.

-Jesus got thirsty just like we do.

-Jesus at times was fatigued.

-Jesus slept.

-Jesus loved.

-Jesus was glad.

-Jesus was grieved.

-Jesus wept.

Jesus is the perfect sympathizer. And He is God the perfect High priest.

Conclusion: Jesus came to earth and took on a body of human flesh so that He might bear in that body the sins of the world. Jesus made possible the gift of God. This is why Paul could write Romans 6 verse 23.

Romans 6:23 ESV

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I want you to know today that God loves you so much. In fact, God loves you individually. He knows you better than you know yourself, yet He still loves you and has a plan for your life. He came to pay the penalty for your sin, to remove your guilt. He did this so that you might enter into His presence.

So today He calls you to respond in faith. To turn from your sin and come to Him. Peter tells us this.

2 Peter 3:9 ESV

9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

God’s Word tells us that he who believes in Jesus has eternal life and he who does no obey the Son will not see life. Will you place your trust in Christ today? If anyone is in Christ, the Bible says that he or she is a new creature, the old things pass away and behold new things have come. Your life will never be the same. And this Christmas will truly be a time to celebrate, for you will have the greatest gift you can ever receive. Jesus purchased your salvation. He guaranteed your sanctification, He has destroyed your enemy, and He became a sympathetic high priest. This is why God sent His Son and this is God’s gift to you.