“This Child is the SON OF MAN!” (Galatians 4:4-5)

S-1013 2nd MIA/3A 12/12/07 Hymns: #55 different verses; (S) LW#61; (C) #66
Texts: Psalm 72; Deuteronomy 18:14-18; Hebrews 2:14-18; Mark 10:35-45
Theme: “This Child is the SON OF MAN!” (Galatians 4:4-5)
Armour, (second in the sermon series: “What Child Is This?”).

Faithful followers of the Savior, Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! The words which engage us this evening are from St. Galatians 4: “But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons” (Galatians 4:4-5)

Introduction
Saints in Christ, tonight we continue on our journey deep into the canyon of the Word to behold with the eyes of faith, the precious truth, treasures and timely words that will lead us to know full well who is this Child called Jesus; and the role He plays in our lives.

C. S. Lewis has written many wonderful books from a Christian perspective. In the classic Narnia series, one book is called “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” In this book, the author addresses the dilemma that faces the Daughters of Eve and the Sons of Adam as they embark on the journey to this land called Narnia. Lucy was the first to enter. Upon entering this place she meets a Faun named Tumnus, who begins speaking with her: “Good evening, good evening,” said the faun. “Excuse me—I don’t want to be inquisitive—but should I be right in thinking you are a Daughter of Eve?” “My name’s Lucy,” said she, not quite understanding him. “But you are—forgive me—you are what they call a girl?” asked the Faun. “Of course I’m a girl,” said Lucy. “You are in fact Human?” “O course I’m human” said Lucy, still a little puzzled (pp 11-12)….a little further into the book the Faun attempts to figure a way to release Lucy from his kidnapping attempt: With tears in his eyes, he speaks thus: “I’m crying because I’m such a bad Faun.”… “But what have you done?” asked Lucy…“Taken service under the White Witch.” “The White Witch? Who is she?” “Why, it is she that has got all Narnia under her thumb. It’s she that makes it always winter. Always winter and never Christmas; think of that!” “How awful” said Lucy. (pp14-16).

In this story, C.S. Lewis describes the events of the Daughters of Eve and the Sons of Adam who have been taken captives by the White Witch and kept frozen in the courtyard. And they remained that way until the right time when the Lion “Aslan” comes to Narnia and with his life frees the captives from the dominion of the White Witch.

You need not be a theologian to understand the meaning of this book by C.S. Lewis. He was describing how the devil takes hold of man—the offspring’s of Adam and Eve and holds them captive, freezing their lives in the prison of sin and bind them without ever being able to escape.

This is your story and mine and the world. On account of Adam and Eve, our world was frozen over. Sin was the fruit of that disobedience in the garden. Death was the result of that fruit. And there was no escaping it by our own efforts no matter how we try to escape WE CAN’T.
In the Garden, God promised a Seed to Eve who would come and bring deliverance. Eve thought Cain was going to be the Savior. But Cain was not very Abel. Nevertheless Eve thought (Gen 4:1) it would be a Son of Man who would be the Savior of the world. In both Genealogies in the New Testament one who is related to David would come to be the Savior—A Son of Man.

This promised Seed of Eve, David, Mary and Joseph came at the right time to redeem man from the burden and bondage of sin. At the right time He came to free us from the clutches of death. At the appointed time, He arrived at the Scene.

The apostle Paul tells us in our text this evening: “But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” Just at the right time. Not before, but in the plan of God at the right time, the Son of Man came to free man. The Son of Man came to give His life as a ransom to the world.

Jesus is the only Savior as Aslan is the only one who can be the “savior”. Aslan's purpose was to give his life so others might live and live again. In the same way Christ came as a babe in Bethlehem, but “nails, spear, shall pierce Him through, the cross be borne for me, for you.”

As we ask this question “What Child Is This?” We must come to the clear conclusion that the answer, is the Son of Man. The Son of Man born of Mary, and laid in the straw of the manger. The Son of Man humbled Himself for our sakes.

As we get deeper into the canyon of the Word, it becomes clear that at times we don’t know how bad our lives are. We don’t know what terrible fate awaits us. We don’t even know the hold that satan has over us.

Look at our situation. We are in desperate need. We are constantly harassed and harried. The enemies are all around us. There are more enemies than we can count. First there are those who would kill us because we are a follower of the Triune God. Then there are the unseen forces of economic downturn, medical crisis and natural disaster that would paralyze us with fear. Then there is the enemy that the classic Pogo cartoon would point out to us. “I have seen the enemy, and it is us!” We are our own worst enemy at times. We set out on journeys in life without consulting God or even caring what He wants for us. We cut off our nose to spite our face. We thumb our nose at God.

This is where God finds us. We are in constant combat. Day by day we are at war. We need to be rescued from this death. And what does God send us? A child. When we need a warrior, God sent His Son, born of a Woman, born under Law, to redeem those of us under the Law! When we were at war, God sent us a baby. This baby, all wrapped in swaddling clothes, one who is not even able to care for Himself, is the One that is supposed to deliver us? You have got to be kidding! A warrior in diapers is no warrior at all. We are lost.

But this is no ordinary child. This One is not just the Son of Man. This One is the Son of God. Like us, this One will grow. Like us, He will face temptation. But He will overcome it. Like us, He will face satan; But unlike us, He will defeat him. Like us, He will face death. But He will be victorious over it! This is no ordinary baby. What Child is this? He is the One God sent at just the right time, to just the right place, for just the right purpose, for the right people—you and me. He has come so that we might by His grace alone become the Sons and daughter of God.

What comfort it is for us as we travel into the canyon of the Word, that we would learn the truth of Holy Scripture. For Scripture teaches us saying: “If we are children, then we are also heirs...” heirs of heaven, of life with Him forever because God always acts at the right time. His sent this heaven-sent child so that we might become the children of God.
WHAT CHILD IS THIS? He is the One promised to the virgin, who will be called Immanuel. (Is. 7:14)
WHAT CHILD IS THIS? For unto us a Child is born...and His name shall be Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father, and of His kingdom there shall be no ending?” (Is 9:6-7).
WHAT CHILD IS THIS? He is the One who will bring a new heaven and new earth where the bear and lion shall pasture, the lamb and wolf lay down together, and little children will have no fear of vipers, cobras, and other animals that threatened us today. (Is. 11:6-9)
WHAT CHILD IS THIS? It is the Child who grew up to be the Suffering Servant who would die for the sins of mankind, suffer in our stead, and rise from the dead bringing life, love, light, and salvation? (Is. 53)
WHAT CHILD IS THIS? Why He is the Son of Man Your Savior and God. Amen.

Now the peace of God…