My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word. – Psalm 119:81
For generations prior to the Birth of Christ, prophets, scholars, and the saints in general struggled in sin looking for full salvation. Sacrifices and offerings never dealt with the ultimate problem: sin separates us from God. Their hope and ours rests in God’s Word.
The Word of God in the Old Testament provided guidance and rules that pointed to life, but those laws could not deliver the saints of old (or us) from death. So they looked for that great salvation from the grave and separation from God. They looked for a Savior, the Messiah as promised in the Word.
The Gospel according to John tells us, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. …And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:1,14). Not only did God provide a champion, His Word was made flesh.
Speaking to the first century church, the Apostle explained that the Word, the very purposeful and meaningful Truth of God, was manifest in the Person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This Son was both man and God bridging the divide between both. Furthermore, His sacrifice would finally satisfy the justice of God and return us to a right relationship with the Father.
As you consider Jesus, the Babe in a manger, remember that your hope and mine rests with Him entirely. No laws or other sacrifices can redeem us. No other champion is coming to help us. No other deliverer was ordained to release us. Only Jesus Christ, the Word Made Flesh, saves us from sin and death. Praise Him! PRAISE HIM!