The birth of Jesus Christ approximately 2,000 years ago was certainly a “watershed” event. It forever changed the course of history. In fact, we now date all our letters and documents in relation to it! The miracle of the Incarnation actually took place nine months earlier when God stepped into our world and was conceived by the Holy Spirit as a human baby in a virgin's womb.
This event not only changed the course of human history – it revealed the hearts of men, sharply dividing them. Jesus Himself would later testify, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law” (Matt. 10:34,35).
Christ is the touchstone of men. He proves the true mettle of a man. The aged Simeon told his mother that through her Child “the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (Lk. 2:35).
Here John gives us the purpose of Christ's Incarnation. He did not become man just to furnish us a good example and give us an exalted code of ethics. He came as God's salvation to be received by personal faith. As at His birth, so it is today – some received Him, but most rejected Him. He is still a Divider of men.
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Bob Vradenburgh is the senior pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. He has spent 40 years in full-time Christian service: the first 20 years as a missionary and the past 20 years in the pastorate. Bob’s passion is the expository preaching of God’s Word,...