27 Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Stephen Shead

Today we’re taking a break from our devotions in John’s Gospel for a special Christmas devotion. And if you’re reading this on Christmas Day, then: Merry Christmas!

In Christian tradition, Christmas isn’t just about remembering that the Son of God came into our world as a baby. It’s about remembering that we are living in the time between the first and second comings of Jesus. That’s why this season is known as Advent. The word “advent” means “coming” or “arriving”; and at Christmas, we not only look back to Jesus’ first coming, we also look forward with hope to the day when he will come back again in glory to raise his people to everlasting life in God’s new creation.

This year in the leadup to Christmas, I’ve been reflecting on the angel’s announcement in Luke 2:11-12:

“Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

What joyful news – a baby who will be the Saviour! But Hebrews 9:28 tells us two extra details. First, the “saving” part isn’t quite done yet. In one sense, if you have turned to Jesus as your Lord, then you have already received the gift of salvation. But in its full sense, salvation is what Jesus will bring when he appears a second time. That is why we “eagerly await him” – because we have not yet taken hold of our inheritance of resurrection life in God’s kingdom.

But Hebrews 9:28 also spells out the grim truth about Jesus’ first coming, which the angel’s announcement didn’t reveal: The purpose of his first coming was for him “to bear sin.”

That got me thinking about Jesus the “baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” There are several reasons why God didn’t fully reveal the details of his plan until the moment Jesus died on the cross. But if he had got the angels to include that bit, I wonder … would the burden have been too much for Mary and Joseph to bear? When you look at a little baby, all pudgy folds and soft skin, it’s so clear that human flesh is … well, weak, vulnerable and ever so easy to pierce.

God knew the cost. The Father knew in sending the Son. The Son, in his eternal unity of will with the Father, knew the agony he would bear. And yet he came as a baby, to bear our sin through his flesh on the cross – all so that he will be able to return in glory and victory “to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him,” as Hebrews 9:25 says.

“This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:9-10)

Spend some time thanking God today for his indescribable love poured out in Jesus’ first coming, and ask him to help you each day to eagerly await our final salvation at Jesus’ second coming.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen is our senior minister.