The Babe of Bethlehem and the Babes of the Bakoum: Jesus Became a Man to Sanctify Man

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As we meditate on the incarnation of Jesus Christ this Christmas, it is good to remember all that he came to accomplish in his life, death, resurrection, and ascension 2,000 years ago. For many, remembering Jesus' humble birth in a barn is awkward because they haven't done so since last Christmas. For others, it's a joyful time of refreshing reflection as we remember that the immortal God put on mortal flesh so that by his death he could save all who would believe in him from the penalty and power of sin. And that's a glorious, worship-inspiring, God-glorifying thing to do.


 More Than Just Justified
But it doesn't come as natural for us to remember that Jesus came not only to secure our justification, but also our sanctification. Do we remember that the effects of the incarnation had a worldwide scope, not to mention a cosmological one? You may know that the gospel will reach every tribe and tongue, but have you ever considered the fact that the baby born in Bethlehem came to make mature followers of himself? If you’re growing in Christlikeness, it is because he became a man, died for you, and sent his Spirit to dwell in you. 


 He Comes to Make His Blessings Flow Far as the Curse is Found
Our Immanuel came so that Americans, Africans, Asians, and every other ethnicity could be empowered by his Spirit to strive after the holiness without which no one will see the him (Heb 12:14; Gal 5:15-26). He has already purchased the sanctification of the fledgling Bakoum churches with the price of his precious blood.


As you think on the glories of the coming of Christ this Christmas, remember that he came to make his name great and purify his church over all the earth. And then purpose in your heart to not let these churches remain full of spiritual babes. Purpose to pray and to give sacrificially so that Tabitha and I can play a part in teaching them the knowledge of the glory of the LORD (Hab 2:14). The babe of Bethlehem grew into a man, shed his blood, and rose again in order to sanctify you, me, and the nations. It will be done, and the only question is what part we will play. What can you do, what can you give to be a part of their sanctification?


This Christmas, don't stop at just remembering that Jesus was born in a manger in order to save you; remember the fullness of the work of the God-Man. Remember that he saves and sanctifies people from every tribe and tongue. And remember that he calls us all orient our lives around his promise to complete what he began the night Mary gave birth in a feeding trough.

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