Why was
JESUS CHRIST BORN?
By Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
Jesus of Nazareth, True God and True
Man, was born to salvage a lost world of sinning men, to destroy the works of
the devil and to build His Church. He came to this sin cursed world to
introduce us all to His Heavenly Father, to redeem mankind through His sacrificial
death on the Cross and His glorious resurrection from the dead. He came to heal
us and fill us with His Blessed Holy Spirit!
Sin
was in the world because Satan was in the world. The devil, who is the
father of sin and death, had been cast out of Heaven and is called the 'Prince
of the power of the air', as well as the 'god of this world'. (Ephesians
2:2; 2 Corinthians 4:4)
The
devil had caused previous disruption and chaos. (Genesis 1:2; Ezekiel 28:13-19; Isaiah
14:12-17).
Because
of Satan's rebellion and hatred for God, he had cunningly planned his strategy
by tempting Eve, with the 'Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil' in the Garden of
Eden. (Genesis 3:1-6; Job 1:8-22; Job 2:1-8)
GOD
CALLED: “ADAM WHERE ART THOU?”
The
great transgression had been made by Adam and Eve. Now, for the moment of
truth. How would Adam and Eve feel? Would they now be wise as God,
as Satan had promised them? Was the rebellion and disobedience towards
God worth it? No - A thousand times NO.
Adam
and Eve's eyes were opened. But, what did they see? Adam and Eve
saw their own vulnerability, stupidity, weaknesses, sin and nakedness.
Fear stalked them and filled their spirits. They had not felt fear before
sin entered their lives. They realized they were naked, vulnerable and
inadequate. Now, they understood they must face the music, and meet God
alone.
But
where was Satan? Where was the Evil One who had been their wise
counsellor such a short time before?
The
devil was gone to gloat over his victory. I'm sure that the devil, the
liar and deceiver was not far away, probably hiding behind a tree, excitedly
waiting to see the outcome of their sin. The inevitable outcome was the
separation, dis-fellowshipping of God and His special creation, man.
SATAN REJOICED OVER ADAM 'S FEAR!
Evil
satisfaction must have filled the devil's mind as he observed Adam and Eve's
plight, their complete confusion, perplexity, fear and terror.
Adam
and Eve heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of
the day. God said, "Adam, where art thou? ADAM, WHERE ART
THOU?"
As
God called Adam that day, He is still calling you and me. "John, where are
you? Mary, where are you?"
Adam
answered, "We are hiding; we are naked; we are afraid"! God
questioned, "Who told you that you were naked? You were clothed with
My glory. Have you eaten of the fruit that I forbad you"?
Adam
gave a typical answer from a typical sinner! He said, "The woman you
gave me, she gave me of the fruit. It is Eve's fault, she gave me the
forbidden fruit and it's really Your fault, Lord, because You gave me the
woman".
PASSING THE BLAME TO SOMEONE ELSE
It
seems normal for people to justify themselves. It's much easier to pass
the buck or to blame someone else rather than take the blame, saying, "I
made a mistake, I am wrong, please forgive me."
It's
similar to the Minister who enjoyed portraying women in a negative way.
One Sunday morning as he was preaching on 'The Fall of Man', he vigorously
attacked Eve. If Eve, the weaker vessel, hadn't fallen, the world
wouldn't be in the mess it's now in. The preacher nailed Jezebel and
Delilah: "Women are the ruination of many good men", he shouted.
At
the close of the service, the Minister stood at the door shaking hands.
Some complimented him on a wonderful sermon, while others were glad to get out
the door.
A
tall lady shook his hand and she wasn't smiling. She squeezed his hand
until he said, "Lady, you are hurting me". She looked him square
in the eye and asked, "Pastor, what is the telephone number of the Garden
of Eden"?
He
answered, "I don't know what you are talking about". She
squeezed his hand again until he said, "Ouch". She spoke again,
"Pastor, do you know the telephone number of the Garden of
Eden"? He answered, "Woman, I do not and by the way you are
hurting me." She said, "Well, I know the telephone number of
the Garden of Eden. It's Adam 8-1-2", and she let go of his hand and
left.
Adam
ate one too! Eve wasn't the only one to blame. Adam also disobeyed
God, but really the blame goes into further - straight to the evil one, the
Devil.
THE
DEVIL IS TO BLAME!
God
didn't argue with Adam. He turned to Eve and said, "Woman, what is this that thou hast
done?" Eve made more sense than her husband. She put
the blame where it belong: "The
serpent beguiled me and I did eat."
I
agree with Eve. Satan is the culprit. The devil is to blame for all
the sin, fear, heartbreak, divorce, alcoholism, drug addiction and juvenile delinquency.
He is the architect of all that is evil, wicked and destructive. Riots,
anarchy, thievery, murder, sickness, disease and war are the outcroppings and
results of his plans, goals, purposes and seduction.
SATAN
IS TO BLAME. Shout it loud and clear - the devil is the troublemaker.
JESUS CALLED THE DEVIL A LIAR!
Jesus
called him a liar, deceiver, murderer and thief. (John 8:44; John
10:10) Our Lord said, "The
thief cometh not for to steal, kill and destroy. I am come that they
might have life and more abundantly." (John 10:10).Yes. The Devil is to blame!
Almighty
God called out: "Because thou
hast done this, cursed art thou among all the beasts of the field. Upon
thy belly shalt thou go all the days of thy life..." (Genesis
3:14-15)
It
is noteworthy that some scientists believe that at one time serpents and snakes
walked upright and didn't crawl on their bellies as today.
God said, "The seed of the woman (Christ) shall bruise (crush) the Serpent's head." In Theology, we call this the 'Law of the First Mention'. God brings out two great truths: He promises to send a Deliverer Who will crush Satan's head and secondly, the Deliverer will be born of a Virgin, without a human father!
"And I will put enmity between thee and the
woman and between thy seed (the wicked) and her seed (the righteous). It
(Jesus, the seed of the woman) shall bruise thy head..."
JESUS DEFEATED THE DEVIL!
On
Golgotha's Hill, Jesus defeated the devil. When Jesus paid the supreme
sacrifice for the sins of the world, and rose again from the dead, He had
delivered the death blow to Satan.
When
Jesus cried, "It is finished", He had defeated Satan and since that
very hour the blood of Jesus Christ washes away all the sins of the repentant
sinner, and His stripes bring healing to the believing, sick person.
The
Bible says, "He (Jesus) was
wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the
chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and by His stripes we are
healed." (Isaiah 53:5)
WHY
DID JESUS COME INTO THE WORLD?
The
Bible says, "For God so loved
the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on Him
should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son
into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be
saved."(John 3:16-17) Hallelujah.
The
Bible says: "Neither is there
salvation through any other, for there is none other name under Heaven given
among men whereby you may be saved, but by the Name of Jesus"! (Acts
4:12) "There is one mediator
between God and man, the man Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 2:5)
JESUS
CAME THAT WE MIGHT HAVE LIFE!
Jesus
said, "I am come that they
might have life and have it more abundantly." (John
10:10) And St. John stated: "For
this purpose was the Son of God manifested that He might destroy the works of
the devil". (1 John 3:8) The Scripture says, "When the even was come, they brought
unto Him many that were possessed with devils: and He cast out the spirits with
His word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which
was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and
bare our sicknesses." (Matthew 8:16-17)
WHAT DID ISAIAH PROPHESY?
Hear
it and hear it well: "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was
bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was upon Him
(Jesus) and by His stripes we are healed."! (Isaiah 53:5)
The
Bible says, "Who His own self
(Jesus) bare our sins in His own body on the tree (cross) that we, being dead
to sins should live unto righteousness, by Whose stripes ye were healed"! (1 Peter
2:24) "He that believeth
on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not
see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3:36)
JESUS IS ONLY ONE WAY: Jesus
said, "I am the Way, the Truth
and the Life and no man cometh unto the Father but by Me." (John
14:6); "I am the door, by Me if
any man enter in, he shall be saved..." (John 10:9) Again
He said, "Come unto Me all ye
that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." (Matthew
11:28)
WHY
DID JESUS HAVE TO DIE?
The
Bible says, "Without the
shedding of blood there is no remission for sins." (Hebrews
9:22) "It is the blood
that maketh atonement for the soul." (Leviticus 17:11)
Again, "The soul that sinneth
it shall surely die." (Ezekiel 18:20)
In
Old Testament times, an animal - without spot or blemish - would be sacrificed,
spilling his blood. (Atonement means "covering")
AS THE LAMB
DIED ON THE ALTER IN THE TEMPLE, JESUS THE LAMB OF GOD, DIED ON THE CROSS TO
PAY FOR THE SINS OF THE WORLD.
The
Scripture says, "If we walk in
the light as He is in the light we have fellowship one with the other, and the
blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." (John
1:7)
Jesus
is the Lamb of God, Who was slain for our sins: "One of the elders saith unto me, weep
not: behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed
to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld,
and, lo, in the midst of the throne...stood a lamb as it had been slain,
having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent
forth into all the earth.
And He came and took the book out of the right
hand of Him that sat upon the throne. And when He had taken the book, the
four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every
one of them harps and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints."
"And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art
worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou was slain, and
hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood of every kindred, and tongue, and people,
and nation;....Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches,
and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing."
"And every creature which is in heaven, and
on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are
in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and power, be unto Him that
sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." (Revelation
5:5-13)
JESUS
SPOILED SATAN'S KINGDOM!
The
Bible says, "And you, being
dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together
with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of
ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of
the way, nailing it to His cross, and having spoiled principalities and powers,
He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it."(Colossians
2:12-15) Oh, Praise God.
We serve a risen Saviour, He's in the world today. I
know that He is living, whatever men may say...I see His hand of mercy....I hear His voice of cheer....And just the time I need Him....He's always near. He lives....He lives...Christ Jesus lives today. He walks with me and talks with me, along life's narrow way. He lives...He lives.... Salvation to impart....You ask me how I know He lives....He lives...within my heart.
What
power! What might! What strength, and what great ability Jesus has! St. Paul brings it out so graphically in his epistles. Drink in these
truth and be set free and filled with all knowledge, joy and Holy Ghost power.
THE WORD OF GOD DECLARES!
"The
eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope
of His calling, and what the riches of glory of His inheritance in the saints,
and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe,
according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when
he raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly
places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and
every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to
come. And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head
over all things to the church." (Ephesians 1:18-22)
"Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding
abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh
in us." (Ephesians 3:20)
St.
Paul writes, "Who (God) hath
delivered us from the power of darkness (Satan) and hath translated us into the
Kingdom of His dear Son (Jesus Christ) IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS
BLOOD, even the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13)
In
referring to Jesus, John the Baptist made the startling statement, "Behold the Lamb of God which taketh
away from the sins of the world." (John 1:29) To this agree
the angel's words to Joseph, "Ye
shall call His name Jesus (Salvation of God) for He shall save (salvage) His people
from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in
Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal
with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a
servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a
man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the
cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and
given Him a name is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee
should bow, of things in heaven and in earth, and things under the earth; and
that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God
the Father." (Philippians 2:5-11)
THIS
DAY IS THIS SCRIPTURE FULFILLED!
The
book of Isaiah is called the "Gospel of the Old Testament".
The 53rd chapter prophecies the death of Messiah Who would bring forgiveness
and healing to His people. Isaiah 7:14 speaks of His virgin birth;
Isaiah 9:6 speaks of His Kingship and the fact that He is
very God; Isaiah 28:11-12 foretells the gift of the Holy Spirit
and the end-time phenomena of glossalalia, or "speaking with other
tongues" as a gift of God to bring stability, rest and peaceful
strength to the Church in times of pressure and tension. Isaiah 61:1-3
prophecies the Gospel Age of His salvation with forgiveness, healing,
deliverance and joy!
"And He came to Nazareth, where He had been
brought up: and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath
day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto Him the book
of the prophet Esaias. And when He had opened the book, He found the
place where it was written,
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because
he hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal
the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, the recovering of
sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the
acceptable year of the Lord."
"And He closed the book, and He gave it
again to the minister and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in
the synagogue were fastened on Him. And He began to say unto them, This
day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears." (Luke
4:16--21)
Jesus
entered the synagogue in Nazareth and read from Isaiah the Prophet. He
ended the reading by saying, "This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears". He declared Himself the Son of God and Jewish Messiah by
those words.
The Year of Jubilee could not begin until first the Great Day of Atonement had
taken place. He would die on the cross like the lambs died on the alters
of Jerusalem, because He is the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the
world." (John 1:29)
He
would fulfill the Old Testament 'Great Day of Atonement' when the high
priest entered into the Holy of holies with the blood of the sacrificial
animal. Jesus was not only the Sacrifice but also the High
Priest Who carried His own blood into the Holy of holies in Heaven itself.
(Hebrews 9:11-14)
The scapegoat (Leviticus 16:7-21)
is also a type of Jesus carrying away our sins He is our Substitute! Every 50th. year Israel celebrated the 'Year of Jubilee' when
all the prisoners and slaves were freed and debts were forgiven. This is
a picture of the Gospel Age, when everyone is set free by the blood of Christ
and His everlasting Gospel!
My dear friend, Let me invite you to
receive him into your heart and life as your Lord, Saviour, Redeemer, Healer,
Baptizer and King.
JESUS CAME TO SEEK & SAVE THE LOST!
Jesus said, "I am come to seek and save
that which was lost." (Luke
19:10) You are included in that number, for "All
have sinned and come short of the glory of God". (Romans 3:23) You say, 'I cannot
live a Christian life in my own strength'! You
are absolutely right. You can't do it in your own power, but He will
change you and give you the power to live for Him.
The Bible say: "He came unto His own, and His
own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power
to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." (John 1:11-12)
Jesus promised, "Ye shall receive power after
that the Holy Ghost is come upon you...." (Acts 1:8) Finally, Jesus
said: "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5)"...and lo I am
with you alway, even unto the end of the world." (Matthew 28:20) Receive Him today, as your Lord and
Saviour! Amen
