Born under the law

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Galatians 4:4-5
Of all the miracles that happened during Christ’s birth, one stands out more than any other: God, the Giver of the Law and Judge over all the earth became human and submitted himself to the Law he gave. This seems like it would be somewhat obvious to those of us who have been in church for a while. Of course, Jesus followed the Law! But the impact of that statement tells us quite a bit about who God is and what this passage says about him.

God is perfect. The Bible is clear about this fact. There is no evil or sin in God. Nothing he has done, is doing, or ever will do can be considered less than perfect. So why would Christ submit himself to the Law if there was nothing about himself that was evil? Submitting to the Law that he gave shows how Christ humbled himself. He did not consider equality with God something to be held onto but humbled himself even to death on the cross according to Philippians 2:8.

Instead of being proud and haughty, Christ submitted to the Law. He did so to redeem those of us who were already under the Law. Now this doesn’t mean that we were responsible for following the law (even though we were). Rather, this means that we were under the condemnation of the Law and the righteous justice of God. Christ humbled himself so that we may receive adoption as sons and daughters of God. That is, we are given an inheritance when we deserve wrath.

This is why Christ was born under the law. This is why we celebrate the Christmas season. It’s not about wisemen and shepherds surrounding a baby. It’s about God humbling himself, submitting to the Law of God, dying on the Cross, being raised on the third day, and ascending back to heaven so that we may become sons and daughters of God.

This season, let’s thank God for the humility of Christ. It is because of his work on this earth that we have the chance of being saved. If you have not known this salvation, consider what God has done in this season as you too may become a child of God.