This is MY Son - God as Witness

By Will Witherington

Posted: Monday, December 19th, 2011

 

 

For years I have wanted to write down some of the devotional thoughts I have during the Christmas season.  My thoughts usually revolve around two ideas: First that the Incarnation was an "invasion" - heaven was invading earth; Second, there were witnesses that had various points of view regarding the Incarnation.  These short devotionals each day will look at the witnesses to this invasion – God, the angels, Mary/Joseph, the shepherds, the animals/stars, the wise men, me.

 

We start today where all things in the universe start — with God Himself!

 

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Several quotes from various passages come to mind as we think about what sort of witness God the Father was and is to the Incarnation of his one and only Son, Jesus the Christ.

 

“I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God”, “God Himself will give you a sign”, “In the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son”, “unto us a child is born to us a Son is given”, “He will be called, Immanuel (God with us)”, “this is My beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased”,

(Luke 1:19,30, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6, Galatians 4:4, Matthew 3:17)

 

The timing was perfect.  God would be the great initiator of the invasion of heaven to earth.  God had chosen to invade the earth in the most unlikely yet completely common way, through a baby.  It is true that this “conception” was miraculous, but this Invader was brought into the world like every other human!!  This is the brilliance of the plan of God.  The sign given to the earth would be “God’s Sign”.  The Son given to the earth would “God’s Son”.  The messenger angel sent to announce the birth would be “God’s Messenger”.  The timing of the whole invasion would be “God’s Timing”.  The wonder and the mystery of this plan give the Christmas celebration energy and power.  Why did God choose to invade the earth as He did, when He did and with whom He did? God alone can give answers to these questions. He is the first and supreme witness to the birth of Jesus Christ.  He is the only One that has seen this invasion from its inception.  He is the Master-Mind behind this great and awesome plan.

 

This Christmas I am reminded that this is God’s Plan.  He is the one initiating to me, to the world.  Motivated by a deep sense of His own glory and His own love, God sent forth His Son!  When I doubt the plan of God in my life, I can remember that at just the right time, God sent His Invader to earth to redeem the world from my guilt and corruption. Jesus Himself said, “the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that THE FATHER HAS SENT ME” (John 5:36).  Praise the Lord, the Son was given to us!