The incarnation points to the coming of the Son of God to earth (John 1:14; John 6:51; 1 John 5:20). Jesus Christ retained His full deity but became perfectly human (Colossians 2:9-10; John 1:1-4; Romans 9:5). The blessings of the incarnation are many. Jesus Christ became a man in order:
The Incarnation Was to Reveal God’s Love
The Bible tells us, “His name shall be called Immanuel … God with us” (Matthew 1:23). From the days of eternity, the Lord Jesus Christ was “the image of God” (Colossians 1:15) and “the outshining of His glory” (Hebrews 1:3). By coming to dwell with us, Jesus revealed God to the universe. He declared that the Almighty is “merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth” (Exodus 34:6).
The Incarnation Was to Identify with Humans
Christ set up His tabernacle in the midst of our human encampment that He might dwell among us and identify with us. “The Word became flesh, and tabernacled among us (and we beheld His glory, glory as of the Only Begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Therefore, God is acquainted with our trials, and sympathizes with our griefs. And in every promise of blessing and every act of love presented in the Savior’s life on earth, we see “God with us.”
The Incarnation Was to Save Mankind
The Father gave His innocent Son to atone for the penalty of our sins. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son” (John 3:16). There is no greater love than this (John 15:13). “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
The Incarnation Was to Reveal God’s Power Over Sin
Satan represents God’s law of love as impossible to obey. But Jesus by God’s power obeyed. Even though He “was in all points tempted as we are” He was “without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). His life testified that it is possible for us also to obey God’s law as He did. And we become “more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). Christ exercised in His own behalf no power that is not freely offered to us. He declared, “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth” (John 10:11; 6:51; 14:6; Matthew 28:18). And this same power He made available to all: “I have given you authority… to overcome all the power of the enemy” (Luke 10:19).
The Incarnation Was to Expose the Evil Character of Satan
In stooping to take upon Himself humanity, Christ revealed the evil character of Satan, who even though was merely a created being, desired to be like the Creator (Isaiah 14:14). But unlike Satan, Christ the Creator gave up His life and “He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8). And “He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him” (Isaiah 53:5).
The Incarnation Was to Unite the Heavenly and Earthly Families
It was Satan’s purpose to bring about an eternal separation between God and man. But, in Christ, we become more closely united to God than if we had never fallen. In taking our nature, the Savior has bound Himself to humanity by a tie that is never to be broken. And nothing can “separate us from the love of God” (Romans 8:39).
The Incarnation Was to Vindicate God
Through Christ’s redeeming work, the government of God stands justified. His justice and mercy were fully satisfied at the cross. Satan’s charges against God are disproved, and his evil character exposed. Therefore, rebellion will never arise again (Nahum 1:9). Thus, by love’s self-sacrifice, God’s creation is bound to their Creator with love.
The Incarnation Was to Secure Eternal Glory
The earth will be not only redeemed but exalted. For in it, the Son of God tabernacled with humanity, lived and suffered and died and shall restore all things anew. The redeemed “shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon His land” (Zechariah 9:16, 17). Through the eternal ages all are secure from sin. And the redeemed will praise Him for His infinite gift of love,— Immanuel, “God with us.”
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
