The Firstborn

We do wrong by relegating this passage to one time of the year. The significance of the wording here is great. “She brought forth her firstborn son.”

Luke2:4 “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Babies are born everyday; each is a miracle and blessing to his or her family. The significance of Jesus’ birth can never be exhausted. Jesus was God born as a human and is the firstborn son. This is a pivotal key to the validity of the gospel.  If not for the virgin birth, the death and the tomb are in vain. It took a virgin girl who was a virgin even in his birth. This enabled the Messiah to be fully our Savior by his birth, death and resurrection; it all applies to our salvation. Mary had to be a virgin. We see the plan and power of God visualized.

The hope of the soul for all humanity hinges on this fact. This gives us the injunction  that encourages us to follow Jesus, the first fruit of the resurrection. In regards to the cross, Jesus was the first to lay down his life for souls. Many have given their lives so others could live, but a person cannot die for the sins of another person. No one could die for the salvation of souls but Jesus and in order for him to do it he had to be born. Mary “brought forth her firstborn son.”

There is tremendous importance in this statement. This was a first with God. From heaven’s view, it was a first. God is capable of doing all things. He was, is and always will be God, and he had come down. Prior to this, the Lord had come down. He walked with Adam for brief periods. Enoch walked with him. He was with Moses at Mount Sinai. Moses was the only one to see God and it was from his position in the cleft of the God. He looked at the back of God as he passed by, and it was enough to turn his hair and beard white. The only way to do this was in his deity. Through Mary, God came to earth by being born in human form.

So, it was a first with God. He took on flesh. This is the miracle of miracles. It was a first with Mary. She was still a virgin. It was a first for Joseph. He was a godly person but couldn’t understand it until God told him about it in a dream. By the Holy Spirit Mary conceived in her virginity. Joseph didn’t touch her; she was 100% a virgin at the birth of Jesus.

Birth is the natural outcome of conception.  God was willing to send his son to people like us. Though a virgin, Mary was still a sinner. Her conception was a product of God’s love. Jesus was not conceived out of sin but purity. Mary retained her virginity for her husband. All this had to be done with Mary’s consent. She didn’t understand it all. She knew the ramifications. She would be accused of immorality. She still wanted the Lord to us her.  Jeremiah 31:22 says “how long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.”  By this we see it was a first for the world. This verse was a sign. For the first time in the world a woman would give birth outside of the natural process, without a man. God would do a new thing. It would be the first time for it to happen and would be the only time—only one time was necessary.  When the virgin Mary gave birth and remained a virgin, it was a first for mankind, and it won’t happen again. We need no other virgin birth. There will be no other cross of death for sins. Half way around the world, the firstborn son of God was born for us to become our Savior.

It was the first for every individual. Jesus had a body. It was not borrowed; it was not a facsimile. He had a body, soul, and spirit. He received them from his mother, and for 33 years he experienced everything we have experienced. The difference was his father was heavenly. He allowed his precious body to be crucified for our old bodies. It was a first for us because we were able to be born again. I was born of flesh but because of this I have been born again. My wicked sins were washed away. I come short but my victory is in the Lord. He gives me victory over my flesh.

Mary brought forth her firstborn son so that we could be born again. We’re not religious church people, we are born again inside and out.  All these firsts were accomplished because God put us first. The least I can do at the end of this Christmas season is put him first. The first thing the shepherds did was go to Bethlehem to worship. When they saw the star, the first thing the wise men did was believe. The first thing Simeon did was rejoice when Jesus was brought to the temple. The first thing Anna did was praise God when she saw the Hope of Israel in the temple.

What’s the first thing we should do?  Jesus deserves to be first with us because he put us first. So, how will you respond?