WHAT IF JESUS HAD NEVER BEEN BORN
Gal 4:4-7
4But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" 7Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
NKJV
Many of us have seen the movie shown every year called “ It’s A Wonderful Life” with Jimmy Stewart. His character’s name was George Bailey. In this movie, George, as a young boy, dreams of seeing the world. But this dream never came true. Instead he inherited the family business. In this show his uncle misplaces $8,000. After a frantic search, George is heard saying; “ I wish I had never been born.” His reasoning was that, he would be better off dead than alive.
As the movie continues, George is given the opportunity to see what it would be like if he had never been born. In the Book of Job Chapter 3, Job also wishes the same thing after he loses all, family, possessions etc. Then he becomes afflicted with boils. He wishes like George, that he could just die, that it would be better if he had died at birth, never been born. Many of us at one time or another have had these same thoughts after times of affliction and troubles.
But think a few minutes how many people’s lives you have touched. How many people have you made smile or laugh? How many look forward to seeing you? You should be thankful that God has given you life, and thankful that He has given you the opportunity to touch so many lives.
Now, consider this. No one in history has ever impacted the world, as has Jesus Christ. What if Jesus had never been born? What would the world, your life be like, If Jesus Had Never Been Born?
Consider the following:
As an infant, despite being born in poverty and obscurity, He alarmed kings.
As a man, having never been to school, never practiced medicine, wrote a prescription, healed more people than all the doctors of His time.
Although He had never earned a degree, nor founded any institution, has/ had, more students than all colleges and universities throughout time.
Without ever having learned in any college or university, without having won a gold medal is the most written about person ever. More is written worldwide about this one man than any other throughout history. Gal 4:4-7
John 21:25
Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
NIV
He was altogether unique. He was both man & God. AS a man he grew tired. And He said; “ I will give you rest.” Matt 11:28
As I man he became hungry, yet Jesus said; “ I am the bread of Life.” John 6:35
As a man He became thirsty, as God, Jesus said; “Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." John 4:10 NIV
As a man He prayed, yet as God He answered prayers.
As a man, Jesus was tempted. Yet as God He never sinned. “ For we do not have a High priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Heb. 4:15
When Jesus came to earth, He gave one great statement which none other could claim, not Mohammed, not Buddha, none. He said; “ I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no one comes to the father except through Me.” John 14:6
What If Jesus Had Never Been Born?
1.We Would Have No Intimate Knowledge Of God!!!!!
A)We would not know God as our Faithful Heavenly Father and Companion
(Emmanuel God With Us)
“ Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted, God with Us.” Matt 1:23
Isaiah prophesied this some 700 years earlier. Is. 7:14
B) We would not know Him as our Heavenly Father.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God> For we have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba Father. “ Rom. 8:14,15
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” Matt 6:9
God the Father is more than just our father. He is also priest, protector, provider, and our physician.
If Jesus had not been born, we would never have that intimate knowledge of Him as God our father. Give thanks that in the “Fullness of times was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them, that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Gal 4:6
C) We Would Not Have A Redeemer, The Forgiver of Sins
One of the strongest verses in Scripture telling us this is 1 John 1:9 “ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
You and I know others who will not forgive us of sins, of wrongs done against the. They will hold a grudge, sometimes for a very long time. But God is not like that. He is ready and willing to forgive you of sins now, immediately. And to cleanse you of your sins.
If He had not been born, there would be no cross; no need for it, for His whole purpose was to go to the cross, to die for your sins.
2. If Jesus Had Not Been Born, There Would Be No God To Identify With Us!
Many times, I am sure you, and myself included, ponder and wonder if God really understands how we feel. How could He understand how I feel if He had never been flesh and blood like me.
But the fact is, He did come to earth and came in the world in the natural way, born of a woman, as a baby, and grew up just as you and I have. He can, and does identify with us. He understands what it is to be tempted. John 4:1-10; Heb 2:18;4:15
Like us, Jesus had a real physical body. He hungered, was thirsty, tired, and had emotions as like us He laughed and He wept. The shortest verse in the scripture is “Jesus wept.” John 11:35 and, of course He felt pain. Look at the cross and read what He endured for you and I.
Do you think He understands your limitations? Sure He understands there are certain things you can and cannot do. He knows that you have limitations. But with Him, nothing is impossible. What you cannot endure, He can, and He can help you to endure temptations. 1 Cor. 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
Therefore, because Jesus was born, He is able to identify with us in our frustrations, limitations and temptations. We need to just stand steadfast and trust in Him to help us through trying times.
3 There Would be No Victory Over Satan
If Jesus were not born, what power or victory would you ever have over the devil? Absolutely none. 1 John 3:8 tells us; “ He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”
Aren’t you glad Jesus was born, because if not we would be absolutely powerless against the devil and be forever at his mercy. We would have no hope of heaven, no hope of salvation.
4 There Would Be No Hope Of His Second Coming
If there were no second coming of Jesus Christ, there would be no Christian hope, no salvation. No heaven. For we would be then condemned to our sins and doomed for hell.
1 Cor 15:12-32
12But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
20But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27For he "has put everything under his feet." Now when it says that "everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
29Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? 30And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31I die every day-I mean that, brothers-just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for merely human reasons, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised,
NIV
Conclusion:
I thank God that Jesus was indeed born of the flesh and came and dwelt among us. John 1:14 Christ gave us intimate knowledge of God, He can identify with us in our hurts and temptations. There is Victory because of Him over Satan. And He is coming back again to take us to be home with Him. Many may scoff and ridicule us of our faith in Him, but we shall be victorious in the end and shall live eternally with Him, because, He was indeed born of the flesh.
Andre