The incarnation is the understanding that Jesus, as the Second Person of the Trinity, took on humanity when He was born. When the Lord did this several things changed for Him. While many of these changes were temporary, they serve as good reminders at Christmas of what was involved with His first coming.
First, we know that this caused a change in His dwelling place from heaven to earth. In John 6:51, Jesus states that he came “down out of heaven.” He stated this already in John 6:41 and would repeat it in John 6:58. He was emphasizing that His origin was not Bethlehem but rather heaven.
“Our Lord’s statement disturbed the religious leaders, for they knew it was a claim of deity.”[1]
Second, it caused a change in His possessions from riches to poverty. In 2 Corinthians 8:9, Paul provides the believer with motivation for giving by providing the greatest example of self-sacrificial giving. Paul reminds the Corinthians that Jesus left the glorious splendor of heaven by condescending Himself taking on the form of a man. Years later Jesus would die on Calvary’s cross.[2]
“The purpose of Christ’s great condescension was that men might become rich. By faith in Him and regeneration by the Spirit, believers have become immeasurably wealthy with spiritual position and blessings.”[3]
When Jesus took on humanity and was born several things changed for Him. He left the glorious splendor of heaven to take on the form of a man. Years later he would die on the cross. By faith in Christ alone, we become truly rich from the blessings of redemption.[4]
Blessings,
Pastor Steven