Jesus’ birth ushered in a new beginning. It was the fulfillment of many prophecies that God had made about the coming Messiah. One of those prophecies was that the Messiah would be born of a woman. That reference goes back to Genesis chapter 3, verse 15, and it is fulfilled in the scripture we read in Galatians 4:4, born of a woman, born under the law.

There were many other prophecies told about the birth of Jesus. He would come from the tribe of Judah. Mary and Joseph were from the tribe of Judah. God promised that David would always have someone on the throne, and we know that Jesus is often referred to as the Son of David.

One of the greater purposes, as Pastor Rod mentioned on Sunday, was that Jesus did not come only to save us and save our souls. We see in Matthew chapter 1 that Mary would bring forth a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.

Jesus did not come only to save Israel, but the whole world. John 1:29 says, “Behold,” which means see, pay attention,

“Behold,the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”

Jesus came not only to save our souls, but His birth ushered in something greater. He came at the fullness of time. He did not come before the appointed time. He came exactly when God had appointed.

When Jesus came, it was the fullness of time. Greek was a common language, so missionaries could communicate the gospel. The Romans had built roads and ships, and there was safety for travel. The gospel could spread.

God, in His sovereignty, knew there was a purpose. The gospel would no longer be limited to a certain group of people. As Jesus said, it would go to Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the world. His birth ushered in the spreading of the gospel.

When Jesus came, we no longer had to slay lambs. Someone took the place of the lamb. His name is Jesus.

Scripture tells us that we are no longer slaves. We are sons and daughters.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” John 1:12 (KJV)

That is who we are. Because of the birth of Jesus, not only are we saved from sin, but we have access to the throne room of grace. We can cry out, “Abba, Father.” We are indwelt with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus came to redeem us. Mark 10:45 says, the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.

Galatians tells us that

“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,”  Galatians 4:4 (NIV)

We were under the law, but now we are under grace. We have received the adoption of sons. We are not second-class. We are joint heirs with Jesus Christ. We are sons and daughters of the Most High God.

Because of the birth of Jesus, we are no longer slaves to sin. We are free from the power of sin and the penalty of sin.

We now have a High Priest and an Advocate. He was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin. He understands the challenges we face, because He was fully God and fully man.

Because of Him, we can submit to God, resist the enemy, and the enemy will flee. We are now the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

The birth of Jesus did not only save us from eternal separation. It opened doors. We are no longer slaves. We are sons. We are heirs.

Just as there was a greater purpose in the birth of Jesus, there is a greater purpose in our lives. God causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

God is still writing our story. We are still in the land of the living. The manuscript is still being written. God has a greater purpose, not only in sending Jesus, but in choosing us to bring Him glory. Amen.