Advent 2024 - Sacrifice

The “No Accidents Here” List of Comparisons Between the Manger and Calvary

1. Spotless and Without Blemish

·       Manger: Jesus, born of a virgin, was untouched by sin—He entered the world in innocence and purity (Luke 1:35, Isaiah 7:14).

o   Scripture: “The holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35)

·       Calvary: Jesus, the perfect and sinless Lamb of God, bore our sin on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice (1 Peter 1:18-19).

o   Scripture: “...a lamb without blemish or defect.” (1 Peter 1:19)

2. Humility and Lowly Arrival

·       Manger: Jesus was born in a stable, laid in a manger—a humble and lowly entry into the world (Luke 2:7).

o   Scripture: “He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant.” (Philippians 2:7)

·       Calvary: Jesus humbled Himself to death on a cross, taking the position of a servant to bring salvation (Philippians 2:8).

o   Scripture: “He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”(Philippians 2:8)

3. Wrapped in Cloth

·       Manger: The babe was wrapped in swaddling cloths, signifying His humanity and care as a newborn (Luke 2:7).

o   Symbolism: Swaddling cloths were also used in preparation for burial in that culture.

·       Calvary: Jesus’ lifeless body was wrapped in burial cloths after His sacrifice (John 19:40).

o   Scripture: “They took Jesus' body and wrapped it with the spices, in strips of linen.”(John 19:40)

4. The Lamb Foretold

·       Manger: Shepherds in the fields nearby were told of Jesus’ birth, and they came to see Him, the Lamb of God (Luke 2:8-12).

o   Foreshadowing: Jesus, born in Bethlehem, the city associated with the temple flocks (sacrificial lambs), came as the true Lamb.

Calvary: Jesus fulfilled His identity as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

o   Scripture: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)

5. Divine Mission of Sacrifice

·       Manger: Jesus was born for a purpose—His arrival was in fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan (Matthew 1:21).

o   Scripture: “You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

·       Calvary: Jesus accomplished that mission through His death and resurrection, bearing our sins as the ultimate sacrifice (2 Corinthians 5:21).

o   Scripture: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)