“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” — Philippians 2:5-7
At the heart of the Christian faith lies one of the most extraordinary truths: God became man. The infinite Creator entered His creation, taking on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. This remarkable act, known as the Incarnation, is central to the message of Christmas. It is more than a warm story of a baby in a manger—it is the unfolding of God’s eternal plan to redeem humanity.
Today, let us reflect on why God became man. Understanding the purpose of the Incarnation reveals the depth of God’s love, the urgency of His mission, and the hope that the birth of Christ brings to the world.
The Eternal Plan of Redemption
To grasp why God became man, we must begin with the reality of human sin and the plan of redemption that God established before the foundation of the world. In Genesis, we see that humanity, created in the image of God, fell into sin through Adam and Eve’s disobedience. This rebellion brought separation from God, spiritual death, and a curse upon creation.
Yet, even in the aftermath of the Fall, God declared His intention to redeem humanity. In Genesis 3:15, He promised a Savior: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” This first gospel, or protoevangelium, foretold that a Redeemer would come to defeat sin and Satan, bringing restoration to the broken relationship between God and His people.
Throughout the Old Testament, this promise is expanded. Prophecies like Isaiah 7:14 (“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel”) and Isaiah 9:6 (“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given”) point forward to the coming of Christ. The Incarnation is the fulfillment of these promises—God stepping into history to accomplish His redemptive plan.
To Reveal the Father
One of the primary reasons for the Incarnation was to reveal God the Father to humanity. Jesus said in John 14:9, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” In Christ, we see the fullness of God’s character and His heart for humanity.
Before the Incarnation, humanity had glimpses of God’s nature through His creation, His Word, and His works. But in Jesus, we encounter God in the most personal and tangible way. Hebrews 1:3 declares, “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature.” Jesus, as God in the flesh, makes the invisible God visible, showing us who He is in a way that we can understand.
Through His teachings, miracles, and interactions, Jesus reveals the Father’s compassion, holiness, justice, and love. When He healed the sick, He showed God’s mercy. When He confronted sin, He demonstrated God’s righteousness. And when He willingly laid down His life, He displayed the depth of God’s sacrificial love.
To Save Us from Our Sins
The ultimate purpose of the Incarnation was salvation. God became man to rescue us from sin and its consequences. Matthew 1:21 proclaims the angel’s words to Joseph: “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Humanity was incapable of saving itself. The problem of sin was not one we could solve through effort, morality, or religion. Sin had created a chasm between us and God, and only God could bridge that gap. Yet, for redemption to be possible, the Savior needed to be both fully God and fully man.
- Jesus as Fully God: Only God could bear the infinite weight of sin and provide a sacrifice sufficient to atone for the sins of the world. Jesus, as the divine Son of God, had the power and authority to accomplish what no human could.
- Jesus as Fully Man: To represent humanity, Jesus had to be human. He lived a sinless life, fulfilling the righteousness that we could not achieve. He became the perfect sacrifice, taking our place on the cross and bearing the punishment we deserved.
Paul explains this beautifully in 2 Corinthians 5:21: “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” The Incarnation was essential for this great exchange—our sin placed on Christ, and His righteousness credited to us.
To Destroy the Works of the Devil
Another purpose of the Incarnation was to defeat the power of Satan. 1 John 3:8 declares, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus accomplished this victory.
Satan’s works—sin, death, and separation from God—had held humanity captive since the Fall. But in Christ, God dealt a decisive blow to these forces. By His death, Jesus disarmed the powers of evil, triumphing over them (Colossians 2:15). And through His resurrection, He broke the power of death, offering eternal life to all who believe in Him (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).
To Bring Us into God’s Family
The Incarnation also opens the way for us to become children of God. John 1:12-13 proclaims, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”
Through Christ, we are not only forgiven but adopted into God’s family. Jesus became like us so that we could be made like Him. This truth is both humbling and awe-inspiring: the eternal Son of God took on humanity so that we might share in His inheritance and enjoy a restored relationship with the Father.
To Model Perfect Humanity
Jesus not only came to save us but also to show us what it means to live as God intended. In Him, we see the perfect example of love, humility, obedience, and dependence on God.
Philippians 2:5-8 calls us to follow Christ’s example: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus… he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Jesus’ life teaches us to live for God’s glory, to love others selflessly, and to trust the Father in all circumstances.
The Incarnation reminds us that holiness is not unattainable. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can grow to reflect the character of Christ, living as ambassadors of His kingdom in the world.
What the Incarnation Means for Us
The Incarnation is not just a theological truth—it is a life-transforming reality that calls for a response. As we reflect on why God became man, here are some practical ways to live in light of this truth:
- Worship in Awe
The Incarnation reveals the depth of God’s love and the lengths He was willing to go to save us. Let this truth fill your heart with awe and lead you to worship Him with gratitude and reverence. - Trust in His Grace
Jesus came to save, not condemn. No matter how far you feel from God, the Incarnation is proof that He pursues you with relentless love. Trust in His grace and receive the salvation He offers. - Live with Purpose
Jesus’ life and mission give our lives eternal significance. As His followers, we are called to reflect His love, share His gospel, and live as citizens of His kingdom. - Hope in His Return
The first coming of Christ assures us of His second coming. As we celebrate the Incarnation, let us also look forward with hope to the day when He will return to fully establish His kingdom.
Conclusion
Why did God become man? To reveal Himself, save us from sin, destroy the works of the devil, bring us into His family, and show us how to live. The Incarnation is the ultimate demonstration of God’s love, grace, and power—a truth that transforms not only our Christmas celebrations but every aspect of our lives.
As we meditate on the purpose of the Incarnation this Christmas season, let us worship the One who came to dwell among us, reflecting His love and hope to a world in need.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for sending Your Son to take on human flesh and accomplish what we never could. Help us to grasp the purpose and significance of the Incarnation, and may it fill our hearts with gratitude, awe, and joy. Teach us to live in light of this truth, sharing Your love with others and glorifying You in all we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reformed Faith Insights 