The Bible declares an extraordinary truth: God, the Creator of the universe and mankind, chose to take on human form in the person of Jesus Christ. This act, known as the Incarnation, was God’s ultimate demonstration of love and His desire to save humanity. Through Jesus, God revealed Himself in a way we could understand, teaching us how to live, warning us of impending judgment, and offering a path to eternal life.
The “Ant” Analogy
Imagine discovering an ant colony in your yard, knowing it faced imminent destruction from an exterminator’s arrival the next day. The ants, unaware of the danger, continue their daily routines, oblivious to the peril. How could you communicate the urgency of their situation? The only way to truly warn them would be to become an ant yourself—living among them, speaking their language, and explaining the impending threat. Some ants might listen and follow your guidance to safety, while others might reject your warnings or misunderstand your message.
In a similar way, God faced the challenge of communicating with humanity. Out of love, He came to us as one of our own—God in human form—as Jesus Christ. Through His life and teachings, Jesus offered a new way of thinking, a new way of living, and a path to salvation. He humbled Himself to our level so we might understand His message and be saved, all while preserving our freedom to choose.
Liar, Lunatic, or Lord?
Jesus made extraordinary claims about His identity, such as “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58) and “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). These statements were unmistakable: Jesus was claiming to be God. His words outraged the Jewish leaders, who attempted to stone Him for blasphemy.
Today, we are left with three possibilities regarding Jesus’ claims:
- Liar – If Jesus knowingly lied about being God, He could not be considered a good moral teacher. Lying would make Him a hypocrite and undermine His teachings entirely.
- Lunatic – If Jesus was delusional or insane, His moral teachings would lack credibility, and He could not be trusted as a reliable source of truth.
- Lord – If Jesus was telling the truth, then His claims demand our belief and obedience—even when aspects of His message challenge our understanding.
Ultimately, the question remains: Who do you say He is?
The Virgin Birth
The Old Testament prophesied that the Messiah would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14). This miraculous event is central to the story of Jesus’ birth: Mary, a virgin, was found to be pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Her fiancé, Joseph, initially considered divorcing her quietly to protect her reputation. Instead, he chose to believe God’s message delivered through an angel, risking his own reputation and committing to raise a child who was not biologically his.
The plausibility of the virgin birth lies in its sheer improbability as a fabrication. If Mary had conceived through natural means, inventing a miraculous story would have been incredibly risky and difficult to maintain. Even today, many struggle to believe it. Yet this miraculous birth aligns with prophecy, underscoring God’s divine plan and the fulfillment of His promises.
Conclusion
The circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth are extraordinary, filled with fulfilled prophecy and miraculous implications. The virgin birth is evidence of God’s supernatural work and a pivotal event in history. Another prophecy foretold that the Messiah would be born in the tiny town of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), which was fulfilled exactly. Even our modern calendar is based on the birth of Jesus, reflecting His unparalleled impact on history.
While the Incarnation is a profound mystery, it is supported by compelling evidence and points to God’s incredible love for humanity. Jesus Christ, fully God and fully human, came to teach, save, and restore us to a relationship with our Creator.