Why God became a man
Jesus Christ is the embodiment of the Word in John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”. He is the Son of God, the second person of the divine trinity, but in equal standing to God. Jesus descended from heaven to earth and became like man in form, but retained His fully divine nature. Though the death, resurrection and ascension of Christ are important milestones, so too is the roughly 33 year-long life of Christ. Everyone can learn from the life of Christ, the Christian especially who Jesus came for, that [we] “may have life and may have it abundantly” (John 10:10); and so we ask, why did God become man?
To fulfill the story of Israel (v. 9-11)
Israel is known as God’s chosen people. Throughout the Old Testament the cyclical story of Israel’s failings and disobedience towards God, followed by redemption and God’s faithfulness is continued. The law of Moses, which was the law to ensure Israel was known as God’s chosen people, was impossible to perfectly obey. Yet, Jesus was the only person who could perfectly obey all the laws, and live in perfect relationship with God the Father. Jesus is the “true light” (John 1:9), who illuminates God and “gives light to everyone” (v. 9). As Jesus was birthed in Nazareth, some recognised him as Christ the Lord (Luke 2:15-20) and others did not know he was the prophesied Messiah. As it says in John 1:10-11:
“He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him"
What do Israel and Jesus’s life on Earth have in common? Jesus fulfilled the story of Israel, as God’s chosen people, by becoming like humanity and bearing our form. He lived a human life, and all the while being fully divine. Today, Christians who confess that Christ is Lord and live in obedience to him are spiritual Israelites - God’s chosen people.
To adopts those who receive him in Faith (v.12-13)
Sonship in the Bible has a cultural and spiritual relevance. Historically, the son of a trades person would inherit the skills of their father and continue in the same labour. An example of this is, that though the Bible does not specifically state that Jesus was a carpenter, it is with great certainty that he was trained in that trade. How do we know? His father, Joseph, was a carpenter (Mark 6:3; Matthew 13:55). Spiritually, the Bible says that followers of Christ “are predestined… for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will” (Ephesians 1:5-6). It is by no accident that “sons” is written, but that does not exclude female believers of Christ from being Children of God. Both male and female believers are collectively referred to as “sons” in the Bible, as we are all equally “heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17).
“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him” (Romans 8:14-17)
God became a human through the person of Jesus, the incarnate God and Jesus who lived and faced temptations, was the perfect example of how to live for God. Now that Christians can be adopted as the sons of God, we must recognise our dependence upon Him, like any child to their parent. How are we adopted as children of God? Only through faith as it says in John 1:
“But to all who receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13)
So, let’s ask ourselves again: why did God become man? God became a human to fulfill the law and prophecies as Israel could not and so that his life would be a testimony to God; to glorify Him. In the same manner, Christians are to illuminate Christ and live lives that bear testimony to Him. We do not know who is or is not destined to be a Child of God. Let us pray that we would depend on the Holy Spirit that lives within us to share the message of the gospel that saves.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for sending your son, Jesus Christ, into this world as a human who lived and faced humanly temptations so that he may empathise with us. Jesus is the perfect example of living in obedience with God. I pray that as Christians we would follow in his example, and boldly share the gospel. I thank you for the sonship that I am adopted into, and for the church of brothers and sisters. I pray that as children of God, we may glorify him all the days of our lives.
Amen