For the past few weeks of advent, we have been speaking about the hope, peace, and joy we have in Christ. During this season, we are reminded of God’s great love for us in sending his Son to earth to be born as a baby who would later die on the cross for our sins to reconcile us back to God. We see this in 1 John 4:10, “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” This type of unconditional love was shown to us well before we were ever born. Paul writes to the Ephesians that Christ chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, and that “in love” He predestined us.
1 John 4:10 also outlines God's love for us in this present age; namely, sending his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. In other words, Jesus appeased the wrath of God that was meant for you and me. He did this without expecting anything from us. The Love of God was wrapped up in a manger, helpless as a child but a savior nonetheless. And lastly, 1 John 4:10 shows us that the word of God is not void, and the love He poured out had a purpose. The Bible says that Christ's death justifies sinners, reconciles his people to himself, makes us alive in Christ, and shows His immeasurable grace.
The manger story as told by Luke was the first step to Calvary. In love, Jesus sacrificed His place in heaven to be born in a manger, and later sacrificed himself so that we could be born again.
1 John 4:10, Ephesians 1:4, Romans 4:25, 2 Corinthians 5:18, Ephesians 2:6-7