HUIOS TAU THEOS /SON OF MAN, HUIOS TAU ANTHROPOS (Lesson 1)
ONE MIRACLE BIRTH
In a recent search of the internet for a Sunday message I was preparing on the Virgin Birth, I found an interesting entry. The article was entitled, “The 10 most important events in history: the American Revolution, the Reformation, The Life of Jesus, Tearing Down the wall in Berlin, WWII, WWI, Gutenberg’s Printing Press, Life of Muhammad, Pax Roma, the Renaissance.”[1]
In addition, a National Public Radio article reporting a Pew research study that stated, "As of 2010, Christianity was by far the world's largest religion, with an estimated 2.2 billion adherents, nearly a third (31 percent) of all 6.9 billion people on Earth," the Pew report says. "Islam was second, with 1.6 billion adherents, or 23 percent of the global population.[2]
In a Time magazine article entitled, “Who’s Bigger, Where Historical Figures Really Rank,” written by Steven Skiena, a professor of science at Stoney Brook University and Charles B. Ward an engineer, Jesus is ranked as the most significant figure in human history. They ranked the top one-hundred personalities of history.[3]
Whether you are a Christian or not, you cannot honestly say that the life of Jesus of Nazareth did not dramatically impact history. If you follow the dating system that we use today, you acknowledge his impact. This article is published in 2010 A.D. because approximately 2010 years ago, Jesus lived in Israel. At the time of his life, it might not have seen so dramatic to the world at large. He never traveled more than a few days' journey from his hometown. It was only after he left earth that his teachings spread beyond his homeland and began to cause trouble for the ruling power of the time: Rome. When Roman rulers began to persecute the followers of Jesus, Christians, his life really began to ripple out around the globe. Over time, Christianity was accepted by the Roman rulers, which allowed it to spread even further. Today, Christianity is one of the largest religions of the world. Jesus set off an atomic religious bomb that is still felt today.[4] Rebecca Graf
Based on these and other articles and statistical research, it can be argued that the single most influential person in human history is Jesus. No individual, in the history of mankind has had a greater impact on literature, politics, and human life in general than Jesus Christ.
Unlike us and our entrance into the world, the existence of Jesus didn’t begin with His birth. Jesus, as a personage of a triune God, has always existed. As God, He is “God with us” and “Lord” He rules and reigns over all that is in existence. As a human being, He is the “Son of Man” and “Messiah”.
How can this be? How can Jesus be both God and man at the same time? The answer to this question is found in His miraculous conception. Because of who Jesus is and what He has accomplished both in life and in His death, He is the most significant person who ever lived. In addition to this fact, other than the creation of all things, His virgin birth is the single most important event in all of history.
Why is His extraordinary conception so special? The answer is simple; Jesus was conceived by God Himself in the personage of the Holy Spirit. His mother was a human being, Mary. However, Jesus’ Father is God. This makes him completely human and at the same time completely God.
As evidence of the validity of the birth of Jesus and His unique relationship to both man and God, we see many predictions of this act described in detail in the Old Testament. The website, “accordingtothescriptures.org” lists 353 fulfilled prophecies that foresaw this miracle birth and life of our Savior and Lord. However, it would only take one to attest its validity. The action of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer and the recognition of its transformation to a new life is evidence enough.
If Jesus was not both God and (at the same time) man, we are still in our sins. Lazarus rose from the dead, but we don’t worship Lazarus.
There is no redemption or justification without a crucifixion, no reconciliation without an empty tomb, but most importantly, there is no salvation without the virgin birth. Every step of God’s plan had to be fulfilled. The plan for the salvation of mankind began with Jesus and His miraculous birth. The virgin birth answers the question: Why Jesus and why do we celebrate His birth? Jesus is Immanuel (God with Us), The Son of God (the human one), Lord (the eternal one).
One conception, one birth, one life, one death, one resurrection, one ascension, one world changed forever.
[1] ListCafé.com List of 10 Most Important Events in History of the World, http://listscafe.com/history/list-of-10-most-important-events-in-history-of-the-world/
[2] Bill Chappell, World’s Muslim Population will Surpass Christians this Century, Pew Says, © 2016, npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/04/02/397042004/muslim-population-will-surpass-christians-this-century-pew-says
[3] Steven Skiena and Charles B. Ward are the authors of Who’s Bigger? Where Historical Figures Really Rank, Cambridge University Press, 2013. The views expressed are solely their own.
[4] Rebecca Graf, The 10 Most Important Moments in History: An Illustrated Guide, Copyright © 2016 HubPages Inc. and respective owners, owlcation.com/humanities/The-10-Most-Important-Moments-in-History-An-Illustrated-Guide
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