Message - Advent Miracles
Galatians 4:4-5
The Miracle of the Moment
Over the month of December we are going to look at a series of Miracles that help us understand more the significance of Advent.
They are not miracles in the sense that water is turn to wine, or a paraplegic person gets up and walks.
Rather they are the foundational miracles of the work of Jesus as he reveals Himself to be our Saviour.
The miracle we are focussing on today is the Miracle of the Moment.
We find this miracle in Galatians 3:23-4:7
(read)
Where is the miracle?
It is in Galatians 4:4-5
4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.
There is this moment that takes place in history.
A set moment.
A moment that has resulted from millennia of planning.
A perfectly timed and executed moment.
It is a moment that is transformative in every way.
What is the impact of this moment?
Before the Moment - The constraints of guardianship.
Have a look at these specific verses (Galatians 3:24, 25; 4:2):-
3:24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.
3:25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
4:2 The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.
By using these words Paul is calling to mind a historical situation which was very common in the first century Graeco-Roman world. Paul has in mind here is the status and situation of the oldest son within the family structure.
He eventually will own the estate when his father passes away.
At some point he will get to have a say in how the estate is run, but he needs to be old enough.
Until that time, and the time will be appointed by the father … maybe when the son he is 18, or 21, or 30, … all depending on the father’s whim.
Until that time the son is under the oversight and discipline of a guardian.
Some versions translate the word as school-master or teacher.
But guardians and trustees were much more.
To see the meaning let me read from Plato … who lived in the 3rd century BC
Just as no sheep or other witless creature ought to exist without a herdsman, so children cannot live without a guardian, nor slaves without a master. And, of all wild creatures, the child is the most intractable; for in so far as it, above all others, possesses a fount of reason that is as yet uncurbed, it is a treacherous, sly and most insolent creature.
Wherefore the child must be strapped up, as it were with many bridles—first, when he leaves the care of nurse and mother, with guardians, to guide his childish ignorance, and after that with teachers of all sorts of subjects and lessons, treating him as becomes a freeborn child. On the other hand, he must be treated as a slave; and any free man that meets him shall punish both the child himself and his guardian or teacher, if any of them does wrong.
(Plato: Laws VII. 808D-E - translated by R.G. Bury)
What a frustrating situation to be in.
Owning being in the position to own everything, but being completely under the oversight, disciple, direction and restrictions of a guardian – and all the society will support the guardian over you every time.
There will be freedom.
But freedom is unobtainable now.
How would you feel before that moment?
Before the Moment – I might as well be a slave.
Paul confirms this feeling in Galatians 4:3
3 So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world.
The last part of the verse is really difficult to translate:-
… enslaved to the elementary principles of the world (ESV).
… were in slavery under the elemental forces of the world (Holman).
… were kept like slaves under the elementary [man-made religious or philosophical] teachings of the world (Amplified).
In this case the paraphrase given in The Message version is quite helpful.
When we were minors, we were just like slaves ordered around by simple instructions (the tutors and administrators of this world), with no say in the conduct of our own lives.
In my constrained condition I have no control of my destiny.
In my constrained condition everything around me makes the decisions for me.
In my constrained condition there are rules and laws and regulations which set an impossibly high standard.
Even when I do my best, no-one gives me any credit. They just praise the guardian.
I have the potential to have everything.
But under the guardian I have nothing.
I’m just a slave.
That is the feeling that Paul wants you to feel about what your … our … spiritual journey is like.
I’m just a slave.
I’m stuck.
This world just causes me so much grief and distraction.
I am thrown around by forces that take control and make me their unwilling passive participant.
Everyone tells me what to do and I have no choice but to listen and obey.
I’m out of control and out of answers.
That’s the space Paul wants us to remember.
Then into that space steps the miracle.
4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.
Galatians 4:4-5
There is this moment in time when God and humanity intersect.
God’s Son … divinity.
Born of a woman … humanity.
Under the law … divinity fully identifying with the hopelessness of humanity.
To redeem … to bring equality with the Son … making us brothers and sisters with Christ.
It is a perfectly timed event.
In a sense it is perfectly timed in relationship to history.
At that moment the Roman empire covered many countries.
All of these countries were expected to know one common language - Koine Greek. It is the language of the New Testament.
All people were allowed to travel freely from one country to the next on smooth roads stretching the entire empire.
On the spiritual side many were disillusioned with worshipping the Greek mythological "gods"; while at the same time Jews set up synagogues all over the Roman empire.
All of these factors made the spread of the gospel much easier. The time of Jesus' birth was perfect.
We could think in that way … and we wouldn’t be wrong … but this is not the big issue of timing in mind.
The timing revolves around the sending.
God SENT his Son.
We read similarly in Romans 8:3-4
3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
The sending is the key moment.
The sending is the touch-point.
It is this touch-point between eternity and the “now” moment.
We begin to see this when we look at Ephesians 1:4-5
4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will
There is a whole discussion which this verse brings up.
Do you choose God?
Does God choose you?
What is the criteria?
Is there a criteria?
We are aware of all of this, but for now, let’s not get side tracked see the language.
Galatians 4:5 talks about adoption as sons … brought into the family of God.
Ephesians 1:5 has the same language … adoption to sonship … as part of a plan that has been in existence since the creation of the world.
As part of the plan for all … because there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male or female.
It is not about being in a category, or some sort of box.
You have been seen, you have been known, you have been set apart for adoption.
All of us
… the Jews Paul is writing to in Galatia.
… the Gentiles Paul is also writing to in Galatia.
… us who read this today.
All of us have been under the protection of the guardian.
Even when we couldn’t see it … or feel it. God had the plan.
You are loved.
You are identified.
You have a future that is so blessed.
You are going to get an inheritance.
There was this point when you couldn’t see it. You didn’t know all that God had for you.
You didn’t know the inheritance that was coming.
You felt constrained.
Then … in the right timing … God sent.
He sent … Jesus as a baby who walked this earth 2000 years ago.
The one who grew, lived, ministered, was arrested, falsely accused, sentenced to crucifixion, beaten and mocked, who died, was buried … and rose again.
Jesus was sent.
But also somewhere in the middle of the questions, doubts, anger, hopelessness, fear, waywardness, rebellion, sin.
Somewhere in your life … Jesus was sent. There is this moment when you realise you are a believer and that God loves you for eternity.
For some of us it is an instantaneous moment.
For most of us it was realisation which grew over time.
For all of us it means security.
At just the right time God sent His Son … to make you realise that the road of slavery is a detour and a dead-end.
Then you see it.
I’m a son … I’m a daughter … I’m a child.
I’m no longer a slave.
I’m not a slave to my past.
I’m not a slave to shame and guilt.
I’m not a slave to rules and regulations.
I’m not a slave to the poor decisions and slow spiritual growth.
I’m not a slave to the doubt and fear.
I’m not a slave to meeting certain standards.
I’m not a slave to the identity others impose on me.
I’m not a slave to expectations.
I’m not a slave to the standards of society.
I’m not a slave …
And I can look to the Father …
Abba … Father … I have sinned again I am no longer worthy to be called your son.
And Abba is running towards us saying, “That’s rubbish. I’ve been keeping an eye out on you ever since you left. You were never less than a son to me.”
It’s the sending of the Son that makes it possible.
Abba … Father … I can’t even lift my eyes to the heavens I am so ashamed. Have mercy on me of God, a sinner.
And Abba is wrapping His arms around us … you’re justified … just as if you have never sinned nor been a sinner.
It’s the sending of the Son that makes it possible.
Abba … Father … I’m struggling each day to get by. The debts keep growing. The shortfall keeps happening.
And Abba comes alongside us with an open hand and an open heart … remember I look after the sparrows and you are worth so much more to me.
It’s the sending of the Son that makes it possible.
When the time comes … God sends.
How many moments do you need.
Sure the moment you needed to know that you needed confess Jesus as Lord and Saviour.
But how many other moments?
Those moments where we are on the inheritance road and … for all sorts of reasons … we forget the inheritance and we feel like slaves again.
Where we feel insecure.
And the God who sent His Son … speaks to us.
15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
Romans 8:15-16
Abba … have I done enough? You’re My child so this isn’t part of the issue.
Abba … can I reach the standard? You’re My family, that is all you need to know.
Abba … will You still care when I fail? You’re my child, failure has been taken care of.
Abba … can You still love me even when I don't love You? You’re my child, I adopted you for always.
I’m not a slave.
I’m a child.
I can have confidence.
Because God’s in God perfect timing in my life God sends His Son.
That’s the miracle of the moment.
Prayer
