Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - WHY?

 WHY?

We are once again approaching Christmas, the time when the church has decided to recognize the birth of Christ. And although the date of December 25th has probably nothing to do with the birth of Jesus, it is certainly true that He was born on some date and that He actually lived a life among us. The real question is not whether He was born or not but why did He in fact come to earth all?

Why did the creator of the universe decide to come to earth as a human? Many religions dispute that He did or that He would or even that He could. But we certainly believe that God did come to earth in the form of man and as Christ, but the question still remains as to why. Why would the supreme being in the universe suffer the trauma of being born as an infant, the trials of growing up as a child and youth, the troublesome difficulties of preaching to those who for the most part did not listen, and the torture of bring whipped and crucified by the ones He came to save? Why?

The book of Hebrews gives us four reasons as an answer to that question.

Firstly, He apparently did it to help man regain that which had been lost. It was the initial intent for man to: “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion…over every living thing…” (Genesis 1:28). In Hebrews, it goes on to say:

You have made him [man] a little lower than the angels;

You have crowned him with glory and honour,

And set him over the works of Your hands.

You have put all things in subjection under his feet… 

(Hebrews 2:7-8)

But this position was lost when man first sinned and so needed to be reclaimed. The way for this to be accomplished was through Christ’s efforts on our behalf.

And so comes our second reason, Christ came to help us regain that association with God, that we had lost, through His suffering and His empathy.

But we see Jesus…for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour, 

that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. 

For it was fitting for Him…in bringing many sons to glory, 

to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 

For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one… 

(Hebrews 2:9-10)

Thirdly, He came to free us from fears and bondage. Not only did He come to help us regain what we had lost and to pay the penalty that such loss cost us, but He came to ensure that we are free from that price that the penalty put upon us.

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, 

He Himself likewise shared in the same, 

that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, 

that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death 

were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 

(Hebrews 2:14-15)

Lastly, to relate to us and so that we could relate to Him. It is essentially impossible to understand and relate to a Spirit which we cannot directly see or to whom we cannot directly speak. It is much easier to do so to a Man who walks with us, talks with us, and lives with us for a period of time. God knows us but it is us who need to know Him in a personal way and as a personal Lord. And so:

…in all things He had to be made like His brethren, 

that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, 

to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 

For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, 

He is able to aid those who are tempted.

(Hebrews 2:17-18)

So, as we once again approach Christmas it is important to remember that it is not really about all the secular activity that has become associated with the season. It's about a God who decided to come to earth as a human, to spend time with other humans, and to become known by them. By doing this He enables humanity to once more have access to the eternity designed for them. When Christ came to earth is not overly important - it’s the fact that He did come. That is what we should remember about Christmas and always continue to think about.