Faith & Reason Nexus

In the humble setting of a manger in Bethlehem, a child was born who would change the course of history. As the angel told the shepherds in Luke 2:12, “Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” But who was this child, lying in such a simple, humble place?

Here are some of the powerful truths about who was in the manger:

The Christ, the Son of God

• Matthew 16:16: “Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
• In that manger, the promised Messiah, the Christ, the anointed one sent by God, was born. He is the Son of God, and the Savior of the world.

The Savior of All Mankind

• Matthew 1:21: “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
• Jesus came into the world to save mankind from sin, to bring redemption to all who believe in Him. His mission began in that humble place.

The Great Physician

• Matthew 9:12: “But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.”
• As the Great Physician, Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted, restore the spiritually sick, and offer hope to those who were lost. He would demonstrate His healing power throughout His ministry.

The Light of the World

• John 8:12: “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
• This child in the manger was the light of the world, offering a way out of spiritual darkness and bringing the truth of God’s salvation to all who would receive Him.

The Resurrection

• John 11:25: “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”
• In the manger, the One who would conquer death and give eternal life was born. He is the source of life after death, the hope of resurrection for all who trust in Him.

The Messiah

• John 1:41: “He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.”
• The long-awaited Messiah was born that night. He was the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel and the world. His birth was the beginning of the fulfillment of prophecy.

The Eternal God

• John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
• The baby in the manger was not just a man; He was eternal. Jesus, the Word made flesh, was and is God, existing from eternity past, come to earth to dwell among His creation.

The Possessor of Words of Eternal Life

• John 6:68: “Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.”
• The One in the manger was the possessor of eternal life. His words would bring life to those who believed in Him and followed His teachings.

Conclusion

The child born in the manger was no ordinary baby. He was the Christ, the Savior, the Great Physician, the Light of the World, the Resurrection, the Messiah, the Eternal God, and the possessor of words of eternal life. Each of these truths points to the divine nature of the child in the manger, a child who came to change the world and offer salvation to all mankind.