Over the past couple of days, I’ve had the opportunity to catch a few Christmas sermons here and there. The ones I listened to all seemed to zoom in on Isa 9:6, especially about the Messiah being the Prince of Peace. My guess is this phenomenon arose because of what is going on in Israel right now. Many are worried about that situation and our loving Father speaks to His people a word of comfort. And we say, “Thank You, Lord!”
As i thought about this Christmas, I was reminded of Gal 4:4-5 during this Christmas season.
Gal 4:4-5 (ESV) But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
As I reflected and read up on this passage, 3 truths stuck out to me.
1. Jesus is Messiah to the Jews! If you read Gal 3, you find a great explanation of how the Law and the gospel flow together. Before Jesus came, the Law was the schoolmaster to show the Jews God’s ways. The Law sustained the Jews until the “fullness of time”. Then, when Messiah came, He would usher those who lived by the Law into God’s family as His sons. The Jews are the primary group being addressed here. And so, as we remember the coming of Messiah, let us pray for and, if possible, minister to the Jewish people that you know. Christ’s coming was good news to the Jews!
2. God has His own timing. Generally speaking, Singaporeans are organizers. We can come up with plans and schedules quite quickly. But God is not obliged to follow our timetables. WE need to follow His. What was God waiting for before sending His Son? We don’t know fully. But the term “fullness of time” points to an appointed time. God sent His Son when He (God) decided it was time. Personally, I believe other things had to be put in place before the Son was sent. Not all of these preparatory steps are mentioned in the Bible but they are God’s orchestrations nonetheless. One example would be the rise and fall of the Greek empire under Alexander the Great.
3. Jesus was fully man and fully God. The Son of God would be of divine nature. Being born of a woman would mean He was human. Historically, there have been people claiming the Jesus was one or the other but, according to scripture, He is both.
As I end this short reflection, one more truth begins to form. Today, we might read v4 thus: “But in the fullness of His time, God sent His Son again!” We live in the last days. But the Day of Christ’s return is in the prerogative of God the Father. When He says, “Go!”, there is no turning back. He’s coming to collect all who have been adopted as sons of God. And so, this Christmas, let us not forget that the helpless, little child born in the little town of Bethlehem will come back again as King of kings. So get ready, stay faithful and walk righteously!….oh, and don’t forget to pray for peace in Israel and Gaza.
Blessed Christmas!
sj