The Responsible Child – December 27, 2019

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

The Responsible Child

They say that first-born children often feel a greater weight of responsibility than their younger siblings do. Sometimes parents put extra pressure on the oldest child to succeed without even being aware of what they are doing. The firstborn may also naturally feel that it is their duty to protect or provide for their younger brothers and sisters.

God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, came into this world with the heaviest burden of responsibility ever placed on a child. From the moment of his birth—even from his conception—the pressure was on him to succeed. God the Father had sent him to accomplish what no other person on earth could do: to defeat Satan and rescue humanity from the curse of death. Jesus’ entire life needed to be absent of sin and full of grace and truth. He was born so that the rest of mankind could benefit from his life and death.

Read through any of the four Gospels of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John) and you’ll see for yourself that Jesus accomplished all that was prophesied about him in the bible verse above. Everyone who heard him speak marveled at his wisdom and the authority of his teaching. The many miracles he performed showed his mighty power and his divine compassion for all. To look on Jesus was to see the face of his Father in heaven. He displayed genuine love for everyone, even his enemies. Even as they nailed him to a cross, Jesus was heard to be praying, “Father, forgive them.” His death on that cross was the sacrifice that won forgiveness of sins and true spiritual peace for all.

The holy Child placed in the manger by his mother Mary was born for you. He came to take the weight of your sin and guilt upon himself. And he has defeated your enemies—sin, death, and the devil. Now he reigns forever at the right hand of the Father. Turn to him daily; put your life in his hands. He will not let you down.

Prayer:
Christ Jesus, you alone fulfilled the Father’s will. I trust in you for my salvation. Amen.