Jesus, the eternal God
What glorious thoughts it is for the redeemed to meditate upon the eternal plan of the infinite God Who made Himself known to them in the person of Jesus Christ. It is even more marvelous to understand that Jesus Christ existed eternally, that is to say was not created. And yet He took to Himself flesh forever when He came into humanity, and not only this, but He still bears the scars of those Whom He died for, redeeming them from utter darkness in which He is “now to appear in the presence of God for us.“ The scriptures tell us, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities- all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Not only that, but “All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.”
The Holy Spirit also enlightens us to a conversation when the eternal Son spoke to God the Father before His incarnation, “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come— In the volume of the book it is written of Me— To do Your will, O God.’” Isaiah confirms this in his prophecy as well, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.”
Understand, there’s nothing that could ever bring us to an understanding of God, apart from God Himself. So, “when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.“ Jesus “emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
The birth of Jesus Christ was a demonstration of God’s immense love and grace towards all mankind. When a Christian comes to understand this, by the work of the Holy Spirit, they “will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshippers.” This leads to a true heart of repentance crying aloud, “Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, And my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, I have sinned And done what is evil in Your sight.”
This profound mystery of the incarnation calls us to engage in greater intimacy with God and to faithfully imitate Christ. In this mystery, God became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ so that He might fulfill the righteous demands of law, lay down His life, and redeem man from the sinful nature from which he was born. In by doing so, Jesus is now able to acquit man from all of his transgressions, offering him peace and forgiveness. Realize that the stain of sin is deeply ingrained in the hearts of all humans and has affected every aspect of their life, from their deepest desires to the center of all their affections. Without the blood of Jesus Christ and His mediation between us and God, we have no hope.
“Again! What a glorious thought! Cherish it, my soul! Never lose sight of it. In Christ the Mediator, all things consist. The church is preserved, redeemed, sanctified, glorified: and how are all his redeemed ones personally and individually secured, but by the same? By him all things consist. Hence their consisting is in him; they are living in him, feeding on him, made righteous in his righteousness, and hereafter will be glorified in his glory. My soul, think what a world of mysteries thou art in; think what an unspeakable life, is a life of grace here; think what a world of glory in Jesus hereafter.”