August 21
Bible Reading: Galatians 4
Galatians 4:5, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive the adoption as sons.”
In the summer of 2018, a soccer team and coach were exploring a cave in Thailand when heavy rain flooded the cave, trapping them deep inside. Efforts to locate the group were hampered by rising water levels and strong currents and a cave rescue effort expanded into a massive operation. The team and coach were stuck on an elevated rock, some 2.5 miles from the cave mouth, for a week before human contact was made with them. The rescue effort grew to involve some 10,000 people, including more than 100 divers, scores of rescue workers, representatives of about 100 government agencies, 900 police officers, and 2000 soldiers. Ultimately, it was two British divers who located the group, having risked their lives making the long and difficult dive. The boys and the coach were ultimately rescued safely but at a high cost. Two divers lost their lives during the difficult operation.
God sent His Son on a divine rescue mission. It was not to a group of amiable boys, but to rebel sinners. It was not a hastily devised plan, but came about according to the counsel of His will in His perfect timing. It was likewise not without cost, for the Son shed His life blood to redeem us.
God sent forth his Son when the “fullness of time had come” (Galatians 4:4). Theologically speaking, it happened according to the exact timing of the One who works “all things according to the counsel of his will” (Ephesians 1:11). Biblically speaking, in a careful orchestration of divinely timed events, numerous prophecies met their exact fulfillment in Jesus’ birth, life, and death (i.e., the timing and location of Christ’s birth; the arrival of His messenger; His flight to Egypt; etc.). Historically speaking Christ’s coming took place in an advantageous time in which there was a well-established road system (constructed by the Romans) and the widespread usage of one language (Greek). These and other factors worked to facilitate the rapid spread of the gospel across the Roman Empire. Morally speaking, it was a time of great need.
“God hath long contended with a stubborn world and thrown down many a blessing upon them; and when all his other gifts could not prevail, he at last made a gift of himself.”
Henry Scougal
In the fullness of time, “God sent forth his Son” (Galatians 4:4). The rebelled-against and much-maligned God of the universe sent forth His Son. The God who is seldom-thanked and commonly-accused sent forth His Son. What kind of love is this that God would send His dearly beloved Son to such a place and to such a people? Romans 5:8 explains, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
The truth of the incarnation is set forth here— “his Son, born of a woman” (Galatians 4:4). Both His deity and His humanity are affirmed. It is a matter of “transcendent truth”, as Martin Luther once said, “The mystery of the humanity of Christ, that He sunk Himself into our flesh, is beyond all human understanding.” Both are true and necessary aspects of His personhood. That He is the divine Son of God is affirmed here and elsewhere (John 1:1-5; Colossians 1:15-16). He is human, having been born of a woman (Galatians 4:4). Doctrinally speaking, this truth regarding the “God-man” nature of Christ is of foremost importance (1 John 4:2). But it is important for another reason as well, inasmuch as it speaks to the truth of who God is. Does God care? In sending forth His Son, He initiated the greatest of all rescue missions. How far was God willing to go to rescue lost sinners? The incarnation answers these questions (1 John 3:16; John 3:16; Hebrews 2:14-15).
He came to rescue us, to redeem us. We were spiritually stuck in our condition. No human force could work to set us free. Redemption has to do with being set free by payment of a price. We had need of someone to set us free from slavery to sin and death. Jesus came to pay the price necessary.
It is in accordance with what A. W. Tozer once observed: “Why did Christ come? Why was he conceived? Why was he born? Why was he crucified? Why did he rise again? Why is he now at the right hand of the Father? The answer to all these questions is, “in order that he might make worshipers out of rebels; in order that he might restore us again to the place of worship we knew when we were first created.”
A. W. Tozer
“The mystery of the humanity of Christ, that He sunk Himself into our flesh, is beyond all human understanding.” – Martin Luther
He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race;
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.
LookingtoJesus 