Paradox of the Cross # 2. Jesus was born in the flesh that we might be born of the Spirit. I have always been fascinated with the thought that Jesus was born as a baby just like you and me (except for the Virgin Birth aspect, of course). "But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons" (Gal. 4:4 NKJV). Jesus, the Word, was with God in the beginning; in fact, He was God. Yet the Word (God) became flesh and dwelt among men (John 1:1, 14).

And the reason He was born in the flesh? That we might be born of the Spirit! Do you remember Nicodemus? He of nocturnal "Nick at Nite" notoriety? Jesus told him that unless he was born again, he could not see the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus didn't understand this, so Jesus said: "Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do no marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again'" (John 3:5-7). We need a New Birth. Our souls are purified when we obey the truth through the Spirit (1 Pet. 1:22), "having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever" (1 Pet. 1:23). If Jesus had never been born of woman, we could never be born of God. If our Lord had not been born in the flesh, we could never be born of the Spirit. 

Hymn: "Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, risen with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, born that man no more may die. Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth. Hark, the herald angels sing, 'Glory to the new-born King'" (Charles Wesley).