“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Because of the enormity of the task of any biographical attempt made on the life of Jesus, for this article I decided to try to limit myself to two pressing questions related to the birth of Christ. The first of these questions is 'What was the purpose of Christ's birth?' the second being, 'What prophesies were fulfilled by the birth of Christ?'. Obviously even trying to only look at these two aspects of Christ's birth are huge, but God willing, we can learn a little more about our Savior by taking this journey together.
The Purpose of Christ's Birth
Over 2,000 years ago, an angel appeared to shepherds near Bethlehem and said: “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 1:10). Why was the birth of Jesus such good news? Why was it the cause for great joy? Because only Jesus could meet the deepest need of humanity — forgiveness of sin. He was the only one who could offer rest for our souls, peace with God and eternal life.
In order to understand the need for forgiveness, we must first recognize the critical issue of sin in our lives. To have a relationship with God and to ultimately spend eternity with him, we need to follow his laws perfectly, in our hearts and in our actions. Sadly, no human being, other than Jesus, has been successful in living a sinless life. The Bible teaches, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
The consequence of sin is death, eternal separation from our Creator. When the first human beings, Adam and Eve, sinned against God by eating the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, they brought death into the world. Since man was the source of death, man would also have to be the solution in overcoming it. Herein lies the dilemma; only God himself could live a sinless life and conquer death, but God was not a man. The death of a perfect human was required to reverse the consequence of human sin. For this reason, and beyond all comprehension, God determined from the beginning of time to become a man. Ultimately, Jesus was born to die so that we might live.
But we must come to him. Jesus said: “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29). This is what it means to be a Christian: to recognize our sin and then come to Jesus, to seek forgiveness through him and then follow him as the shepherd of our soul. When writing to Christians in the Early Church about their lives before coming to Jesus, Peter said, “For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2:25). How fitting that the announcement of Jesus’ birth was made to shepherds and was followed by a host of angels who proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14). The Good Shepherd was born to bring peace, true spiritual peace with God, to those who would follow him.
Over 2,000 years ago, an angel appeared to shepherds near Bethlehem and said: “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 1:10). Why was the birth of Jesus such good news? Why was it the cause for great joy? Because only Jesus could meet the deepest need of humanity — forgiveness of sin. He was the only one who could offer rest for our souls, peace with God and eternal life.
In order to understand the need for forgiveness, we must first recognize the critical issue of sin in our lives. To have a relationship with God and to ultimately spend eternity with him, we need to follow his laws perfectly, in our hearts and in our actions. Sadly, no human being, other than Jesus, has been successful in living a sinless life. The Bible teaches, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
The consequence of sin is death, eternal separation from our Creator. When the first human beings, Adam and Eve, sinned against God by eating the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, they brought death into the world. Since man was the source of death, man would also have to be the solution in overcoming it. Herein lies the dilemma; only God himself could live a sinless life and conquer death, but God was not a man. The death of a perfect human was required to reverse the consequence of human sin. For this reason, and beyond all comprehension, God determined from the beginning of time to become a man. Ultimately, Jesus was born to die so that we might live.
But we must come to him. Jesus said: “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29). This is what it means to be a Christian: to recognize our sin and then come to Jesus, to seek forgiveness through him and then follow him as the shepherd of our soul. When writing to Christians in the Early Church about their lives before coming to Jesus, Peter said, “For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2:25). How fitting that the announcement of Jesus’ birth was made to shepherds and was followed by a host of angels who proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14). The Good Shepherd was born to bring peace, true spiritual peace with God, to those who would follow him.
A Few of the Prophesies Fulfilled by the Birth of Christ?
Most of us have probably heard the story of the birth of Jesus from Scripture, but what some may not realize is that His birth, right down to the last detail, was a fulfillment of thousands of Old Testament prophecies. These prophecies were written between 1450 BC and 430 BC. Manuscripts have been found to prove they were written at least 400 - 1000 years before He was born.
It would be difficult enough to predict something 5 years away let alone 4-15 centuries, especially with the degree of detail and 100% accuracy. It would also be impossible for someone to plan to fulfill all the prophecies. The prophecies speak of timing, location and circumstances of birth. Who but God alone could plan such things?
Below is a chart of just some of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the birth of Christ. Along with each reference is the New Testament reference where the prophecy is fulfilled.
Most of us have probably heard the story of the birth of Jesus from Scripture, but what some may not realize is that His birth, right down to the last detail, was a fulfillment of thousands of Old Testament prophecies. These prophecies were written between 1450 BC and 430 BC. Manuscripts have been found to prove they were written at least 400 - 1000 years before He was born.
It would be difficult enough to predict something 5 years away let alone 4-15 centuries, especially with the degree of detail and 100% accuracy. It would also be impossible for someone to plan to fulfill all the prophecies. The prophecies speak of timing, location and circumstances of birth. Who but God alone could plan such things?
Below is a chart of just some of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the birth of Christ. Along with each reference is the New Testament reference where the prophecy is fulfilled.
1. Promised Through the Seed of Abraham:
I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice. Genesis 22:17-18
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Matthew 1:1
2. Promised Through Isaac:
But God said to Abraham, “Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for through Isaac shall your offspring be named. Genesis 21:12
the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, Luke 3:34
3. Out of the Tribe of Judah:
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Micah 5:2
the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, Luke 3:33
4. Born in the Family of Jesse:
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. Isaiah 11:1
the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon, Luke 3:32
5. Born in the House of David (King):
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’ Jeremiah 23:5-6
the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, Luke 3:31
6. Born in Bethlehem:
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Micah 5:2
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:4-7
7. Born of a Virgin:
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:18
8. Worshipped and Presented Gifts by Kings:
May the kings of Tarshish and of the coast-lands render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts! Psalms 72:10
And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:11
9. Worshipped by Shepherds:
May desert tribes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust! Psalm 72:9
And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. Luke 2:9
10. Weeping for the Children
Thus says the Lord: “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.” Jeremiah 31:15
Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Matthew 2:16
11. Flight to Egypt
When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. Hosea 11:1
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt Matthew 2:13-14
12. He Will be Called Lord:
The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” Psalm 110:1
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
13. He is the Son of God:
I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Psalm 2:7
and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3:22 also (Matthew 3:17, Mark 1:11)
These are only a few of the prophecies concerning the birth of Jesus. There are so many prophecies that the probability of someone fulfilling them all is very unlikely. It would be impossible for someone to choose or decide to fulfill them. How could someone decide in what family to be born? How could they plan to be born in Bethlehem even though the family they chose lived in Galilee? This could have only been God. He was able because:
- He already existed before His earthly appearance.
- He already knew what was going to happen when He spoke the words through the Old Testament prophets.
The Bible tells us in Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23 that His name was to be Immanuel - God with us. Once we disobeyed God (in the Garden of Eden) we could no longer get to Him, so God chose to come to us. This was indeed the greatest gift ever. In fact, it still is the greatest gift, because it is a "gift that keeps on giving." His birth is only the beginning. His life, death, resurrection and the hope of His return are all part of the gift.
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