Introduction
Why is the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus Christ so important in God’s
plan of salvation? Would it matter if Joseph was His biological father? If the
Lord had been conceived in exactly the same way as we were, then we would not
even be discussing this important doctrine. The story of the birth of a boy
2,000 years ago would have been forgotten along with the thousands of others
born at that time. It is the declaration that our Saviour was born of a virgin
that makes His birth extremely special.
Jesus was fully man
Though John tells us nothing about the actual birth of Jesus, he does tell
us that He became what He was not, “And
the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). This is exactly
what the name “Emmanuel” means, “God with us”, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son,
and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with
us” (Matthew 1:23).
Some have suggested, and not only the cults, that Jesus was just an angel
that took on a human body for a season. They point to the fact that in the Old
Testament angels sometimes did appear in flesh, and ate and drank with men. They
fail to note that there is no mention of any angel dying as a man does. Besides
this, Hebrews 1:5 states, “For unto
which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I
begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a
Son?” The fact is the angels worship the only begotten Son of God, “And
again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let
all the angels of God worship him” (Hebrews 1:6). To claim that Jesus was
only an exalted angel who became God’s Son is a gross
error and deception. “For verily he
took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham”
(Hebrews 2:16). How could He be an angel if even angels cannot fully understand
God’s plan of salvation? “Unto whom
it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the
things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel
unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels
desire to look into” (1 Peter 1:12).
Being fully man, Jesus knew what it was like to be human. He was aquainted
with our difficulties, problems and trials. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the
feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet
without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). In His thirty-three years in a human body on
this earth, He knew suffering, hunger, thirst, and tiredness just like any of
us. Rather than being a God at a distance observing mankind, Jesus Christ, the
Son of God, came to this world to experience humanity firsthand so that He could
truly be our Saviour. “Wherefore in all
things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a
merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make
reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered
being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted” (Hebrews
2:17-18).
None of these things are true if Jesus was only a man born of natural birth,
or an angel sent to gain hands-on experience.
Jesus was fully God
We have heard some say that Jesus Christ was a son of God rather than the
Son of God. The Scripture calls Him the Son of God for a reason. The child that
was born of virgin birth was different from all others born that day. He existed
before He was born, and He existed as the Eternal God. “But
thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah,
yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose
goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2) … “For
unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be
upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The
mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Of
His own self He said, “Verily, verily,
I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58).
The child born in a cattle stall was truly the Son of God. Here we see the
very first Christmas present given. “For
God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John
3:16). We make no bones about it, the birth of Christ is mindboggling and
astounding. “And without controversy
great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh” (1
Timothy 3:16). This is one reason why the virgin birth is so special and
important, for that infant in the manger had all the power of God at His
disposal. “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily”
(Colossians 2:9).
Conclusion
As man, the Lord Jesus could fully understand what we go through, for He
experienced humanity. As God He can forgive those who trust in Him for
salvation. It needed someone who was both God and man to fulfil the plan of
salvation. Only God incarnate could be the supreme sacrice for sin. “Behold,
the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). To
deny the virgin birth is to reject God’s only way of salvation. If
Christianity could have survived without this important doctrine, it would
simply be just another religion that offers no assurance or salvation. There is
no hope without the Biblical Christ, “That
at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of
Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without
God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12).We need to stand up and declare what
the Bible says about our Saviour. He is not just a man or a prophet, He is the
Almighty God.
© 5/11/2008