The Prophetic Meaning of Christ’s Birth: Understanding His Life, Death, and Sacrifice

The Prophetic Meaning of Christ’s Birth: Understanding His Life, Death, and Sacrifice

Teaching by Pst Dr. Joel Dabbas

How does it feel to know that you were born just to die? That your very existence was meant to be a sacrifice? I can only imagine what it must have been like for our Lord, Master, and Savior, Jesus Christ, as He walked on the surface of the earth.

His life was not about His own will, but about fulfilling the will of the Father who sent Him. In essence, His existence was not on His own terms, but on the Father’s.

It’s not hard to imagine that He occasionally perceived the agony of the cross. That emotional drain—can you even begin to fathom it? It must have crept up on Him from time to time, building up throughout His emotionally exhausting journey. At one point, during this rollercoaster of a life, He withdrew to a mountain where the spirits of ancient, righteous men—Moses and Elijah—appeared to encourage Him. The humanity of Christ is so profound that the revelation of His life draws us into deep encounters with the Lord.

James reminds us, "He was a man like us, tempted in every way, yet without sin." The frailty of man was in Him, but He allowed His spirit to override His flesh. This is a posture that many believers have yet to embrace, a reality many have not yet fully entered.

When Jesus was born, the prophecy of His life began to unfold instantly. And I want to tell you that from the very moment you entered into time, the prophecies of your life began to play out as well. The first visitors to Jesus were the wise men, and guess what? They brought gifts to the newborn King—Jesus, the Lord. These gifts weren’t just tokens of honor; they were prophetic symbols of the life He was meant to live.

The Three Gifts: Prophetic Symbols of Christ’s Life

1. Gold: The Kingly Ministry of Jesus: Gold symbolizes the kingly ministry of Jesus. In Isaiah 9:7, we see the prophecy of the Kingly and governmental ministry of Christ. His royalty and kingship are rooted in His divine nature and purpose. The gold the wise men brought to Him was a powerful acknowledgment of His authority as the King of Kings (Revelation 19:16).Throughout His ministry, Jesus demonstrated His royal authority through miracles, teachings, and acts of compassion (Matthew 9:6-8). He reigns over our lives, offering hope, redemption, and transformation to all who submit to His lordship (Romans 14:17).As our King, Jesus intercedes on our behalf, mediating God’s grace and mercy (Hebrews 7:25). His kingly ministry empowers us to live as citizens of His Kingdom, marked by love, justice, and righteousness (John 18:36; Romans 5:17). Through faith in Him, we experience the riches of His kingdom, including forgiveness, peace, and eternal life (John 3:16; Matthew 6:33).As we acknowledge His royalty, we surrender to His lordship, allowing Him to reign in our hearts and lives (1 Timothy 6:15-16). In His kingship, we find our purpose, security, and hope (Psalm 2:12).

2. Frankincense: The Priestly Ministry of Jesus

The frankincense presented to Jesus symbolizes His priestly ministry. In ancient times, priests would burn incense as a symbol of worship to God. By offering this gift, the wise men were recognizing Jesus as the mediator between God and humanity.

As our High Priest, Jesus offers sacrifices of praise and intercession, providing us access to the Father (Hebrews 4:14-16). Through His priestly ministry, we can approach God with confidence, knowing that we have a compassionate High Priest who understands our weaknesses (Hebrews 2:17-18).

3. Myrrh: Symbolizing His Death, Burial, and Resurrection

The myrrh gifted to Jesus foreshadowed His death and burial, symbolizing the ultimate sacrifice He would make for our redemption. Myrrh was used in ancient times for anointing and burial, indicating Jesus' willingness to lay down His life for humanity (John 19:39-40).

Through His sacrifice, Jesus provided forgiveness, healing, and restoration, demonstrating the depth of God’s love for us (Romans 5:8). The myrrh signifies the pouring out of His life, as described in Ephesians 5:2. It is a symbol of the fragrance of His sacrifice, which lingers in eternity.

For those in Christ, our own lives become a testament to His sacrifice, as we pour ourselves out in service to God, just as He did for us.

The Mystery of Christ’s Life in Philippians 2:5-8

Philippians 2:5-8 (KJV) reveals this mystery in simple yet profound terms:

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

Passion brought Jesus Christ to earth. Obedience kept Him moving and fulfilling the Father’s work, but it was humility that led Him to surrender to the death of the cross.

Humility here is yieldedness plus sacrifice without self and anything standing in the way. If you must live in the fullness of God's will for your life you must surrender, yield and sacrifice your all unto Him.

What a life He gave, so that our living—both in time and eternity—would be filled with grace and glory.

Say this I am Christ's and He is mine

His life is in me and I show forth His fullness everywhere I go. Glory!!