Good News Of Great Joy Sample

December 11 – Why Jesus Came

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. —Hebrews 2:14–15 

These verses would be great to use with an unbelieving friend or family member to take them step by step through your Christian view of Christmas. It might go something like this... 

“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood...” 

The term “children” is taken from the previous verse and refers to the spiritual offspring of Christ, the Messiah (see Isaiah 8:18; 53:10). These are also the “children of God.” In sending Christ, God has the salvation of his “children” in view. God’s design was to offer Christ to the world, and to effect the salvation of his “children” (see 1 Timothy 4:10).

“...he himself likewise partook of the same things [flesh and blood]...” 

Christ existed before the incarnation. He was with God and was God (John 1:1). But he took on flesh and blood and clothed his deity with humanity. He became fully man and remained fully God. 

“...that through death...” 

The reason Jesus became man was to die. As God, he could not die for sinners. Therefore he had to be born human to die. Good Friday is the reason for Christmas. 

“...he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil...” 

In dying, Christ de-fanged the devil. How? By covering all our sin. This means that Satan has no legitimate grounds to accuse us. “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies” (Romans 8:33). 

Satan’s ultimate weapon against us is our own sin. If Jesus takes it away, the chief weapon of the devil is taken out of his hand. He cannot make a case for our death penalty, because the Judge has acquitted us! 

“...and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” 

So we are free from the fear of death. And God means for our ultimate safety to have an immediate effect on our lives. He means for the happy ending to take away the slavery and fear of the now. 

What a great Christmas present from God to us! And from us to the world!