The Fullness of Time

           “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5).

            In the context of the book of Galatians, Paul has been contrasting the Law and faith.  According to the apostle, the Law wasn’t intended by God to be an “end all.”  No, he claims the Law was a guardian charged with leading those under it to Christ (Galatians 3:24).  It was common in Paul’s day for a young child to be put under the charge of a guardian until he matured to the point when he was ready to receive his inheritance -- i.e. the “fullness of time” (Galatians 4:1-2).  The birth of Christ signified that those under the guardianship of the Law had come of age.  It was time for the heir to come into full possession of his inheritance (Galatians 4:3-5).

            Indeed, the Christ child was born in “the fullness of time” with regards to the plans and purposes of God.  But that didn’t mean that the Christmas story was a Hollywood production, full of glitz and glamour.  Rumors swirled as a young betrothed Jewish teenager was found to be with child. Claims of angelic visitations likely did little to calm the gossip.  The Son of God ends up being born in an animal enclosure rather than the corridors of power and influence.  Lowly shepherds are his first visitors rather than heads of state.  In fact, it's the ruling class that seeks to have the child put to death later in the story.

            What’s one lesson we can learn from the birth of Jesus?  That something can be squarely in the middle of God’s plans and purposes (“the fullness of time”) and yet be attended with pain and difficulty.  So our struggles don’t necessarily mean that we are outside of God’s will for our lives as well.  Try to remember that when tough times come.

God loves you!

Mike