15 Dec Born to Die
Last Sunday, Jason Finley preached from John 1:14, and we considered the greatest event in human history: The incarnation of the Son of God.
Read: Galatians 3:10-14
As we gather this Christmas Sunday, Pastor Ken Lewis will preach from Galatians 3:10-14 and will show us that God sent his Son to redeem us from the curse and restore all things. As you prepare for our Sunday gathering, take time to read the following devotional by John MacArthur and reflect on the ultimate reason for the birth of Christ: He was born to die.
Reflect: “Born to Die”
“We … see Him who has been made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God He might taste death for every one” (Heb. 2:9).
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Jesus Christ was born to die as our substitute.
At this time of year, it is difficult for us to see Jesus other than as a little baby. We, of course, know why He came, but we usually focus on His death on the cross at another time of year. But we must never forget that He came to die.
Those soft baby hands fashioned by the Holy Spirit in Mary’s womb were made to have two great nails hammered through them. Those little chubby feet were made to walk up a hill and be nailed to a cross. That sacred head was made to wear a crown of thorns. His tender body wrapped in swaddling clothes would be pierced by a spear to reveal a broken heart. The death of Christ was no accident; He was born to die.
Jesus died to remove the curse so we could regain our dominion. But to do that, He had to come as a man. Even though in doing so He temporarily became lower than the angels, He accomplished something no angel could: our restoration.
The first and foremost reason for the Incarnation is that Christ might taste death on behalf of every man and woman. He came to die in our place—to be our substitute. God had two options: Either let us die and pay for our own sins, or allow a substitute to take our punishment and die in our place. He mercifully chose the latter.
It is vital that we affirm the fact of Christ’s substitutionary death because modern liberal theology claims Jesus died merely as an example, like a martyr dying for some cause. But in reality He died as a substitute for you and me. As a result He freed us to live for and with God. Rejoice that the Creator of angels, the Lord of hosts, was willing to become lower than His creation for our sakes.
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Suggestions for Prayer: Thank the Lord for His willingness to humble Himself to become a man in order to save you.
For Further Study: Read Psalm 22, and note which verses prophesy Jesus’ suffering on the cross.
“Born to Die,” December 26th Devotional, in Drawing Near, by John MacArthur.
Sing: Song List for Sunday
1. “Sing We the Song of Emmanuel,” by Matt Boswell
2. “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” Arr. Crosspoint Music
3. “What Child Is This?,” Arr. Sovereign Grace Music
4. “Joy to the World,” Arr. Crosspoint Music