In the Fullness of Time

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Scripture:

Galatians 4:4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,  5 in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.  6 And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”  7 So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

Observation:

This is a crucial turning point in history and it had all been a part of God’s plan. The fullness of time was a moment when everything would change. Just as a young person comes of age and may claim their rightful inheritance, so Christ would enter the world and claim that which belonged to God.

The connection here is between understanding the incarnation of Christ and what that means for the salvation of humankind. The two inseparable because Christ comes to claim his inheritance - his people! By living life in the flesh he makes it possible for all of us to be adopted into the family. His birth brings rise to our new birth as his siblings. The great moment had come and from now on everything would be different. It was the fullness of time.

Application:

It’s easy for us to read over those words rather quickly and not recognize how life-changing, or even world-altering they were. There had never been a God before or since who entered into the world so that we might become like him. The fullness of time was God’s plan and it was to usher in the “already” of the kingdom of God. Here on this earth things were to “already” begin to change and become radically different than they had ever been before. The “fullness of time” was a statement that would provide an unbelievable opportunity for you and for me!

Today is Christmas Eve and many of us will gather to celebrate and remember the birth of our Messiah. This is the day in which we remember the “fullness of time.”  The gestational period would be over and Mary would give birth to a son. In him would be the hope of all humankind and we would be welcomed into his family. The gifts under the tree are simply a symbol of the inheritance which you and I have received since the fullness of time. We are children of the King!

Prayer:

Lord,  thank you for your incomprehensible gift.  Amen.


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