Final Thoughts on Galatians 4:4
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, . . . NKJV
It is important to note that Jesus was not merely born; he was sent. God “sent” forth his Son.
This sending is absolutely fundamental to our understanding of the identity of Jesus Christ. Jesus is not merely a man, He is God Himself in human flesh (John 1:14, Colossians 2:9), sent forth by and from God the Father. This sending (from the Greek word, exapesteilen, the root of which is exapostello)involves a sending out from something or somewhere. Jesus was sent out from God the Father and this, necessarily, implies pre-existence.
Jesus’ existence did not begin with His birth in a stable in Bethlehem nor with His conception in the womb of the Virgin Mary. Before Jesus was conceived, He was already (John 1:1, 8:58). And this pre-existence implies something even more glorious.
The birth of Jesus is unique among all other births in human history. The virgin birth of Christ was miraculous because Jesus was and is unique and altogether glorious. He is not merely an adopted child of God (as you and I are the adopted children of God). He is the Son of God and His arrival on earth was not simply happenstance. God the Father sent him forth in accordance with His eternal plan and timing. God the Father intervenes decisively in human history by sending forth his Son into human history.
Consider anew the glory of this truth. Christ, the pre-existent Son of God, was sent by God the Father to become a human being. The eternal Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us. This Son, the divine creator of all things (John 1:3, Col.1:15-17), became a man. He humbled Himself and took upon Himself all of the sufferings and frailties of humanity (Phil. 2:6-8). This Son is both God and man. He is the God-Man.
This glorious truth lies at the heart of the good news of the Gospel. God not only came to us, but became as one of us.
Bethel Bible Church Hawaii 