God put his plan in a teenager’s hand; She delivered it so faithfully. He emerged in the stillness of night Near the masses who did not see. Our God, in His infinite mercy Yearned to forgive our sins Yet nothing could cleanse us for heaven But the blood of a God clothed in skin. Only one who had never fallen By sin and its manner or state, The one who was perfect on earth Could bear our sin-earned fate. The Greatest Christmas Gift
Teenage Hormones and Strength
In the culture and time of Jesus’ birth, they married and bore children at a young age. Mary was around 15-16 years old when she gave birth to Jesus. It was a long time ago, but I remember being that age and the extreme emotions stirred up by hormones and growing a new understanding of life. Even though people raised their children to be mature enough to marry and have babies, young teenage Mary had so much on her. However, God knew that Mary would rely on Him, and He would give her strength, wisdom, and encouragement. Mary delivered God’s plan so faithfully.
31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
Luke 1:31-33
A God Clothed In Skin
When I’m going through hard times, it’s so comforting to be with people who’ve been through difficulties like mine. I know they understand how I’m feeling. Jesus lived on earth as God clothed in skin and experienced heartbreak, sorrow, disappointment, and temptation as we do. He knew what it was like to be betrayed, rejected, lonely, falsely accused, and hated. God feels all those feelings with us. In sending Jesus to live in human form to experience these things as human, He’d show us how intimately He understands.
… He sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful man as an offering for sin. And He condemned sin in the flesh [subdued it and overcame it in the person of His own Son]
Romans 8:3
Sin-Earned Fate
Sin is a controversial subject. None of us likes feeling guilty, proven wrong, or bad about ourselves. But whether we like to think about it or not, we do it. Sin is the reason for every bit of pain and suffering on Earth. Like oil and water, holiness and sin don’t mix. God planned to send Jesus to live our lives as a human with every temptation but without any sin. This way, Jesus was qualified to take our punishment. God, in His mercy, sent Jesus as the greatest gift to take our punishment for sin and bring us back into a relationship with God.
28 so Christ, having been offered once and once for all to bear [as a burden] [e]the sins of many, will appear a second time [when he returns to earth], not to deal with sin, but to bring salvation to those who are eagerly and confidently waiting for Him.
Hebrews 9:27-28
