Christmas and Incarnation, 2

The incarnation was unexpected but absolutely necessary. That is because there is one line between the stable in Bethlehem and the Cross. God was not showing off in the incarnation. He was doing what must be done to save us. It was Anselm of Canterbury who addressed this long ago – in his treatise, Cur Deus Homo.

In order to redeem the guilty from sin and judgment, what was required by the very nature of God was a sacrifice of a sinless man, a substitute and sacrifice of such value that it would satisfy the demands of justice to an infinite degree, and be sufficient for many and not just one.

That God, who alone is infinite, should die – that is unthinkable.

That man, who alone can be a substitute for other humans, should be sinless – that was inconceivable.

That man should die, and then break the power of death – that was impossible.

But if God took to himself true human nature, and lived as man a sinless life, and died voluntarily as a substitute for sinners – that sacrifice would be of a sinless man, but of infinite value – sufficient for all who trust in Him.

The incarnation was necessary. Such a person was required to offer such a sacrifice to the True and Living God for the sake of saving sinners.

Here is love – that God gave his Son for us. Here is wisdom – that incarnation happened. Infinite became finite. Spirit became flesh. The un-seeable was seen and touched.

This year, we are exploring Christmas in a fresh way at Grace Church in San Diego. For sermons, look HERE.

Comments

[Dinah Oude-Reimerink]

This Christmas season I have been meditating on the incarnation. My vocabulary early on was exhausted of words sufficient to express such love, genius and on the receiving end, gratitude. I'm happy to see you're blogging on this. If only words could express the wonders of our God, and the depth of His impact on us!