Getting Job-ed
God has existed forever, even before time (as we know it and comprehend it) began. God existed in a perfect community in and of Himself: God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As a technical theological term, this is called the aseity of God and I highly recommend you study this doctrine. But nonetheless, what does this have to do with Christmas? This has everything to do with Christmas. This article and the next article will be touching on some very closely related themes.
The Preeminence of Jesus
Colossians 1:15-20 ESV:
He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Don’t let the “firstborn” verbiage in vs. 15 trip you up, Jesus was not birthed by God and some other woman deity in heaven like some other cults have taught (not found anywhere in Scripture!). That verbiage had to do, culturally, with the rights of a firstborn in the family structure and how that concept applies to Jesus.
That’s not the point of this section. This section is showing that Jesus preexisted creation and that He is truly God. Creation was an act of will between the God-Trinity community. I will stand firm in the argument that God knew all events of human history before human history began, including mankind’s rebellion and even those that will be saved in the final judgment. This may be a shock to you and your theology (or formally held beliefs) but check out Isaiah 46:9-10, Revelation 13:8, and Ephesians 1:3-14. So if the God Trinity existed in and of Himself for all time, why did He decide to create? Why did He send Jesus to earth?
Joy
You hear the term ‘joy’ so much at Christmas time it becomes white noise. But this is an important concept in discussing why God created the universe and where its trajectory is going in the future. Hebrews 12:2 ESV:
…looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
How subtle it is to miss what this is saying! Jesus came to earth, and endured the cross, for what? The “joy that was set before him…” This is so important. Don’t dumb down Christmas to make it completely anthropomorphic. Jesus came to save sinners. That is true. But is there more? He did it for the “joy set before Him.” What joy? So that His glory (as seen by being “seated at the right hand of the throne of God”) will be seen and loved by His people. Listen to how Paul puts it:
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish… This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:25-27, 32 ESV
Christ came to earth to die for His church, His bride, in order to present her to Himself holy and without blemish. Put the pieces together here: The God-Trinity, before time began, had a redemptive plan to save His people. This was to make a “bride” for Christ, one that is perfectly presentable to Him. This was the “joy set before” Him while facing the horrible realities and shame of crucifixion. It was because of joy. There’s so much to be joyful about at Christmas. Joy in God from His people for His rescuing of them. Joy in God Himself and His all-satisfying being. The joy that God has for His perfect self. How amazing it is to have joy this Christmas.
-Austin
