Jesus Embraced a Human Birth So That We Might Experience a Spiritual One (Christmas Paradoxes – Part 2)

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9)

I’m talking about “paradoxes of Christmas” in a three-part blog post series. (My outline is adapted from a message by James R. Swanson of Santa Ana, California. He defines the paradox of Christmas as “the reversal of roles at God’s [expense] for our benefit.”)

The second “paradox of Christmas” is this: Jesus embraced a human birth so that we might experience a spiritual one. (Luke 2:7a)

The new or second birth. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Being born again. This reality is linked to what happened that first Christmas day where we find that Christ ~ God almighty! ~ literally took on a body like you and I ~ a body of flesh and bones.

And isn’t that what Christmas is all about? It isn’t about shopping malls and traffic snarls and chain store profits nor is it about trees and lights and presents (though those things can be a fun part of it). Rather Christmas is about Jesus. It’s about Jesus becoming a son ~ a son of man! ~ so that we, as humans, might have the opportunity to become sons (and daughters) of God.

But just like Christ had to be born into this life so we must be born into a relationship with the Lord.

This truth had a man named Nicodemus all up in arms in Jesus’ day. He was the one who approached our Lord at night and said to Him…

“Rabbi, we know and are certain that You have come from God [as] a Teacher; for no one can do these signs (these wonderworks, these miracles ~ and produce the proofs) that You do unless God is with him.” (John 3:2; Amplified Bible)

To this statement Christ replied…

“I assure you, most solemnly I tell you (Jesus is basically saying, ‘I’m serious and not joking’), unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter his mother’s womb again and be born?” Jesus answered, “I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a man is born of water and [even] the Spirit, he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God. What is born of [from] the flesh is flesh [of the physical is physical]; and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not [do not be surprised, astonished] at My telling you, ‘You must all be born (from above).” (John 3:3-7; Amplified Bible)

So according to Christ it takes two births to gain a relationship with God. A physical birth (which we all have experienced or we wouldn’t be here) and then a spiritual one.

This new or second birth is one we make a choice for. We can’t make a choice to be born the first time. In that instance it’s our parent’s decision. But when it comes to being born from above, the choice is yours and the choice is mine.

Whether you start a relationship with the Lord or not is really up to you.

God never forces Himself on anyone.  He leaves the decision to come to Him squarely in our hands.

So what choice have you made in your life? A choice to be born a second time? Or a choice to remain born only once?

(Flickr picture above via jeffweese)