WEDNESDAY October 2nd
Well, the Old Testament era came to an end and a period of what is called silence followed for about 400 years and then we arrive at approximately 3BC and Paul tells us what happened, ‘But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.’ (Galatians 4:4)
The birth that had been planned before the foundation of the world and prophesied 700 years earlier by the prophet Isaiah took place. The child was born, and the son was given. And John records for us why, ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life’, (3:16)
The One who existed throughout eternity past in fellowship with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, the one through whom and for whom all things were created, the one who upheld all things by the word of his power, had left the glory of heaven, and had been placed in the womb of a virgin called Mary, to be born in a stable in the town of Bethlehem, and was laid as a babe in a manger. We have already considered some of the verses in John chapter 1, and John after introducing Jesus to us as the Word in verse one, continues in verse 14 to say, ‘And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.’
And he grew up from being a baby, then from being a child into maturity and manhood (Luke 2:40, 52) for the purpose of dying, dying for your sin and my sin, dying as our substitute, dying to take upon himself the wrath of God which we deserved, taking on himself the punishment for our sin which we deserved, and why, because the eternal God as Father loved us, the Son of God loved us and they have loved us with an everlasting love.
That is why taking us right back to where I started this series of devotions that I can say the words ‘Jesus, the very thought of thee with sweetness fills my breast’.
I was a sinner deserving of eternal punishment, yet Jesus to my rescue came, my soul in mercy to reclaim. I was a sinner not deserving of love, certainly not deserving of forgiveness, but Jesus was willing to leave his Fathers glory and to die such an awful death that I might be forgiven and set free, that you might be forgiven and set free.
It was such an incredible plan that has turned into an incredible story, yet the more I learn the more there seems to be to learn because it so incredible. Is this your testimony?
‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus’, ‘Oh how sweet to trust in Jesus, yes, ‘tis sweet to trust in Jesus, I’m so glad I learned to trust thee, precious Jesus, Saviour, friend; and I know that thou art with me, wilt be with me to the end.