HUIOS TAU THEOS /SON OF MAN, HUIOS TAU ANTHROPOS (Lesson 7)
THE VIRGIN BIRTH: A PORTRAIT OF GRACE
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known (John 1:17-18).
For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many (Romans 5:15-16)!
The virgin birth was an action of the love of God toward mankind. We were without hope of eternal life. By sending His Son to die for our sin, God offered a way of escape from sin, and its penalty, eternal death and punishment for all mankind. All praise and glory are given to His name. The name above all names, Jesus.
The virgin birth, God coming to earth to live as a man, this open action of grace to us, did not come without a price.
BECAUSE OF THIS MIRACULOUS BIRTH, JESUS HAD TO:
HUMBLE HIMSELF: POSITIONAL GRACE.
Hebrews 2:6-9 explains that Jesus was created in human form lower the angels when it says, “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered.”
"But we see Jesus!" (Hebrews 2:9) He is God's answer to man's dilemma. Jesus Christ became a man that He might suffer and die for man's sin and restore the dominion that was lost because of sin. When our Lord was here on earth, He exercised that lost dominion. He had dominion over the fish (see Matthew 17:24-27; Luke 5:1-11; John 21:1-11), over the fowl (Luke 22:34,60), and over the wild beasts (Mark 1:12-13), and the domesticated beasts (Mark 11:1-7). As the last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45), Jesus Christ regained man's lost dominion. Today, everything is under His feet (Ephesians 1:20-23)…One day, when He establishes His kingdom, we shall reign with Him in glory and honor. Jesus Christ did all of this for us for lost sinners - because of "the grace of God."[1] – Warren W. Wiersbe
SUFFER:
Human Humility and Pain: Practical Grace. Many times, Christians, especially in America, feel that since they have given their lives to Christ, they should not have to suffer. Jesus led a life of suffering. In Luke 9:22 Jesus says this about His life of suffering, “And he said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."
When we follow Him, and live a life dedicated to Him (Galatians 5:16-17), we should expect to suffer. This world system does not love God. It seems only natural, then, that they will hate those who serve him. 1 Peter 2:21 explains that, “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” If we follow in His footsteps we will suffer for Him.
However, God’s grace was sufficient for Jesus who went willingly to the cross for believers and that same Grace is extended to us in our walk. 1 Peter 5:10-11 gives us this assurance of grace when the author says, “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
[1] The Bible Exposition Commentary. Copyright © 1989 by Chariot Victor Publishing, and imprint of Cook Communication Ministries. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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