This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”(which means “God with us”). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Jesus came to earth through a virgin birth. This proves that He is extraordinary. It also proves that He is whom the Bible prophesised as “Immanuel.” He came to earth as a man who is the true God, to be with us. Not only that, even before Jesus’s birth, His name had already been chosen. This was to emphasise the real reason for Him coming to earth. Jesus was born as a Jew. In Hebrew (the language of Jews), Jesus’s name means “Yahweh Saves.” The book of Matthew as in the Bible passage above depicts clearly Jesus’ mission is to save people from sin. In other words, the reason for Jesus coming to earth as man is to save us.
Exactly how big a problem is men’s sin that God would decide to take such a great effort to come to earth Himself to save us? Today’s problems are all the cause of sin. From wars around the world, climate changes, environmental pollution, pandemics, to domestic violence, office bullying, vicious competition in school, people’s vanity, sexual promiscuity, cyber scamming, and endless forms of cybercrimes etc., sin plays a part in all these. The problem lies in that people are still deeply immersed in them, refusing to admit that there is something wrong with the world, that fire is burning its way through. Yet people do not feel the heat but are thoroughly enjoying it. The reason sin is so horrible is that it blinds people, while letting them sink deeper and deeper into its trap. Furthermore, the most horrific aspect of sin is that it brings death and God’s judgement. People could deny the problem of sin. No one, however, could deny the presence of death. Since the beginning of time, humans have been trying to find a solution to death. Unfortunately, no one has succeeded. Some even try to dilute the horrible feeling of death, saying that everything just disappears when one dies, and that there is nothing to worry. This is a baseless and reckless way of interpretation because it will mean one has hinged one’s life on a theory that’s never been proven.
Humans could never solve the problem of sin. We would only resort to avoidance like the proverbial ostrich. In the end, we are left with no peace, feelings of emptiness, living a life that is aimless and void of any true value. We are like children who have lost their way, who do not recognise the way home, and feeling terrified. It ends only when our parents appear, their presence sooth the fear in us, wipe the tears away from our face, bring us back to the warmth of home.
Jesus came to earth so that God can be with humans. Jesus says: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Jesus lights up the darkness in humans. He directs us to a fulfilling life and the road to heaven. Jesus, the true God became our scapegoat to solve the problem of sin and death. No one has this ability to become the scapegoat. Not only must he be a human. He also needs to be without sin. Only Jesus could satisfy these impossible criteria. Jesus has the ability as well as the willingness to solve the problem of sin and death. Jesus lived for 30 odd years. In His final days, He took the punishment in our place by dying on the cross. Because Jesus became our scapegoat, those who believe in Him will be forgiven of their sins. Jesus was raised from the dead three days later. Those who believe in Him will have eternal life.
May the presence of Jesus be with you and your family this Christmas!
translated by Elaine Chew