… born of a woman
Summary: God is amazing for an infinite number of reasons, but one of the most amazing was choosing to be born of a woman.
One of the cool things about being God is that you can appear where you want, when you want, and how you want.
In Genesis, we read that “the Lord appears to Abraham” (Genesis 12:7). The text doesn’t tell us how the Lord appeared or what he looked like, but only that he appeared.
Later, we read about another visit from the Lord. The text says, “The Lord appeared to Abraham … [who] looked up and saw three men standing nearby.” (Genesis 18:1-2)
In Genesis 32, we read about Abraham’s grandson, Jacob. He wrestles with a man all night only to learn it is the Lord.
“So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, ‘It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.’” (Genesis 32:30)
When Moses first meets God, the Lord appears “in flames of fire from within a bush.” (Exodus 3:2) Later, God tells Moses that he will appear in a “dense cloud” (Exodus 19:9).
Isn’t it strange, then, that when God finally sends his Son, Jesus, to live on earth, he chooses to be born as a baby?
Imagine God being confined in a mother’s womb for nine months. Think about the ramifications of the Creator of All Things being created as part of his own Creation.
The thought of God becoming man this way boggles the mind.
Being “born of a woman” makes sense if we are talking about people. That is how we come into being. We don’t expect to have any other options, but God does. God can snap his fingers (or whatever …) and POOF make himself appear wherever and however he wants.
To be born takes time. To be born human is to be vulnerable. To be made flesh and blood is to risk death.
And that, of course, is the whole reason he came to us and why he had to be born of a woman. He needed to become flesh and blood. There is only one way to do that and have credibility as a human being with the rest of humanity.
Jesus had to be born of a woman.
Application: Take a moment to ponder the courage of God to become part of his own creation.
Food for Thought: What would have been different if Jesus simply “appeared” as a full-grown man?
What would have been different if Jesus simply “appeared” as a full-grown man?
The Old Testament tells us that the Savior would be a descendant of Eve, Genesis 3:15, and would defeat satan.
God chose a human experience as He cloaked, humbled Himself, from very the beginning of His earthly ministry. He confined Himself to a physical body, born of woman and growing up, in humble obedience to created beings as He experienced the difficulties of puberty. Hebrews 5:8
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:14-15
We have genealogies of both parents of Jesus. Luke gives us Mary’s genealogy, while Matthew gives us Joseph’s genealogy. Both fulfill prophesy.
Who are we to chose, refusing to humble ourselves, live our lives in humility before our God who has chosen to humble Himself for our sake. Psalm 8:4-8
Well said, Ron!
Jesus shows us how he wants us to live, by being a living example for us to follow.
Thanks R2T2. Good comments.
Jesus needed to live His life with the same temptations we all have, yet without sin (Hebrews 4: 14 – 15 – as Ron also pointed out). Growing up from infancy is a part of that full human experience. He experienced what we experienced. But He did so without sin.
He is our representative. To be a perfect representative He had to become a human being. The Incarnation is one of the most amazing, important miracles. Immanuel. God with us and all that entails.
Of course, it also fulfilled prophecy going back to Genesis 3: 15. Born of a woman to end the curse (and not born with a man’s help). He is the child given to us (Isaiah 9: 6).
Thank you, Brother.
Avoiding sin is walking a path in constant union with God, never submitting to the desire of the flesh, and never falling short in doing God’s will.
To meet this standard from infancy is an amazing miracle on its own, and a powerful testimony to the world.
What would have been different if Jesus simply “appeared” as a full-grown man?
Both great comments. Like stated above about prophecy but also to keep the promise given to Abraham and David. God keeps His promises.
Amen, T!
Our God is a God of kept promises!