When Jesus was born, it marked God’s invasion of the earth, his D-Day, so to speak. God the Father sent his only begotten Son into enemy territory to conduct a secret mission that would win the war against Satan and his henchmen and liberate all captured lands.
After Adam and Eve betrayed God in the garden, the Lord promised that one of Eve’s descendants would one day crush Satan. Speaking directly to the serpent, God said:
15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.” Genesis 3:15 (NASB95)
This promise indicated that the Lord would preserve a God-fearing line of humans from which the Messiah would one day spring.
Upon hearing this, the serpent, or Satan, set about to try to prevent this prophecy from coming to pass. He instigated Cain’s murder of Abel in the hope of cutting off the line of promise. He tried to corrupt the entire human race through evil angels having children with human women, producing the Nephilim. It got so bad here on earth that God decided to more or less start over using Noah’s line.
Eventually God moved forward with the plan and revealed himself to Abraham, reiterating the promise that one day a godly descendant would be sent to save us.
17 indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. 18 “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” Genesis 22:17–18 (NASB95)
Satan therefore became an inveterate enemy of Abraham’s descendants in the hope of stopping God’s promise, but he was unable.
Eventually, King David was told that one of his descendants would rule on God’s throne forever.
16 “Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.” ’ ” 2 Samuel 7:16 (NASB95)
The Messiah would be no ordinary king. His rule would be eternal.
Eventually, in God’s perfect timing, God incarnated the eternal Logos inside Mary’s womb. This was the promised descendant, an alien being unlike any other, a true God-man, born of God by the Holy Spirit, as God prophesied through Isaiah. His father was Abba. His mother was Mary.
When Jesus’ birth date came, it was God’s D-Day, his invasion of the earth by an unstoppable person who would crush Satan and redeem those who put their faith and allegiance in him.
As the angel told Joseph:
...“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20b–21 (NASB95)
Not many realized what happened, besides Satan. Joseph and Mary knew. God informed the shepherds in the field. The magi from the East knew, probably being familiar with Daniel’s prophecies. But the people that should have been in the know were oblivious. The Jewish scholars and religious leaders were consumed with their own agendas and missed God’s.
Just knowing a lot about the Bible is no guarantee that we will understand what God is doing. If the heart is wrong, we will miss out.
This is a principle of God stated by Jesus.
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. 26 “Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. Matthew 11:25–26 (NASB95)
We probably all know the story of how Herod deduced the age of the Messiah through the information gleaned from the magi and consequently murdered all the boys two-years old and younger born in Bethlehem, another attempt to kill the promised Messiah.
Jesus grew to manhood out of the limelight and hidden from the murderous designs of Satan and those who served him. Finally, in God’s perfect timing, Jesus was introduced to the world by his cousin John the Baptist, who through revelation recognized him as the Messiah. From that time forward, God’s plan moved inexorably toward the crucifixion, God’s secret plan to defeat Satan and rescue humanity.
When Jesus rose from the dead as the Lord of Lords, Satan knew he was ultimately defeated, but that has not stopped him from battling to the very end. He is such a liar by nature, he has probably convinced himself that there is still hope that he can unseat God from his throne. He has not given up on his plan, and he still has lots of willing people who have decided to stick with him instead of being reconciled to God.
Nevertheless, now as before, God’s plan is unstoppable. God laughs at Satan’s vain attempts to usurp the throne.
2 The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel together Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!” 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them. Psalm 2:2–4 (NASB95)
Eventually, just as Jesus promised, he will return to this earth as the glorious Son of Man prophesied by Daniel. He sill raise the dead and judge everyone who ever lived. Every knee shall bow before him and every tongue confess that he is Lord. Those who love and serve him will receive blessings and an eternal reward. Those who hated him will be consigned to the lake of fire.
Now is the time to be reconciled to God. Today is the day of salvation. Do not delay. No one is guaranteed a tomorrow.
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for coming to the earth to defeat our oppressor and reconcile us to your heavenly Father. I repent for living a self-directed life and acknowledge you as my Lord and Savior. I receive all you died to provide for me. I give myself to you. Use me as you see fit. Amen.
