Jesus’ earthly life is framed by two impossibilities: a virgin’s womb and an empty tomb.
When the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law. —Galatians 4:4
During this Christmas season, it’s good to keep a firm grip on the
reality of Easter. While the two events are celebrated at different
times and in very different ways, they are both integral parts of God’s
initiative in His grand plan of salvation.
Peter Larson wrote:
“Despite our efforts to keep Him out, God intrudes. The life of Jesus
is bracketed by two impossibilities: a virgin’s womb and an empty tomb.
Jesus entered our world through a door marked ‘No Entrance’ and left
through a door marked ‘No Exit.’”
James Edwards echoes this theme in his book The Divine Intruder:
“[God] breaks into this world, even when He is unexpected and
unwelcome. God joins us in our weakest and worst moments. There is a
Divine Intruder among us.”
The stable in Bethlehem and the cross
of Calvary remind us that “when the fullness of the time had come, God
sent forth His Son . . . to redeem those who were under the law, that
we might receive the adoption as sons” (Gal. 4:4-5).
The Lord did
not wait for an invitation to enter our world. Clothed with humanity,
He lived as our teacher, died as our sacrifice, and rose from the grave
as our Savior.