Incarnation Discussion "Beyond the Manger"
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
11:32 AM
It is Christmas Eve, the day when we remember a mother named Mary lying her child in a manger. Today I want to take you beyond the Manger.
Before the Manger
Back to the beginning, when Adam & Eve were removed from the Garden of Eden because of sin. They had listened to a snake and disobeyed the 1 simple command of God.
In the middle of this sad story God gave a promise that has everything to do with Christmas.
Genesis 3:15 (NLT) And I will cause hostility between you(the snake) and the woman, and between your(the snake) offspring and her offspring. He (Eve's offspring) will strike your(the snake) head, and you(the snake) will strike his(Eve's offspring) heel.”
This is the first prophecy of Messiah. It shows us a human son who will defeat sin, but also suffer because of sin.
A Human Son
Eve held in her arms her children and wondered which one would be the messiah who would restore them back to God. Imagine her disappointment when her first son, Cain murdered her second son Abel. She hoped that Cain would be the righteous one to defeat the enemy, but he too was overcome by sin.
For thousands of years countless children were born, but all of them were overcome by sin.
The world was looking for the promise of Eve. A Human son who would defeat sin and reconcile us back to God.
On Christmas Eve we remember the Human son named Jesus who was not overcome by sin, but defeated sin and reconciles us back to God. This is the human son that Mary holds in her arms.
Yet Jesus is more than a human child according to scripture.
Isaiah 7:14 (NIV) Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
The child will be born of a woman, but not in connection with a man. 
The child will be called Immanuel. Wait, I thought His name was Jesus?
I once had a friend ask me, "If Jesus's middle name was Immanuel, and His last name was Christ." Immanuel and Christ are not His middle and last names but titles.  Christ means Messiah/Chosen One. Immanuel means "God with Us."
Jesus is "God with Us"
This title of Immanuel is a description of Jesus. He is God with us.
Isaiah also calls him (messiah) the Mighty God.
"Wait! I thought you said Jesus was a human son?"  Yes, that is right.
"Wait! I thought you said Jesus is God with us?" Yes, that is right.
Jesus is both a human son and the Mighty God. (Hypostatic Union)
Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Do you realize who is in this manger?
The angels did. They sang "Glory to God in the highest!"
The shepherds did. They came and worshipped.
The Magi (wise men) did. They came and opened their treasures and worshipped.
Go beyond the manger
Do you want to go beyond a holiday tradition? Come worship the Mighty God who loved us enough to come to us, as one of us, to reconcile us back to Himself.