The Greatest Birth in Human History
Good afternoon, Georgia. My name is John Otus, and I’m with Triumphant Gospel Ministries. Today I want to talk about what I believe is the greatest birth in the history of the world—the birth that became the pivotal point of human history. That birth is the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem about 2,000 years ago.
During this time of year, you see manger scenes around town. The question is: when you see those scenes, what do you see? Let me tell you what you should see. When that child was laid in a manger, it was not a decorative cradle—it was an animal feeding trough. There was no room at the inn, and so He was born in a stable and placed in a feeding trough. The message insists that this was not an accident; it was by God’s design.
A Birth Prophesied Long Before It Happened
This birth was prophesied 700 years before it took place. In Isaiah 7:14, Scripture says a virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and His name will be called Emmanuel—meaning “God with us.”
Centuries later, during the Roman period, Caesar ordered a taxation that required people to return to their place of birth. This is why Joseph and Mary, who lived in Nazareth, traveled to Bethlehem.
The Meaning of Mary’s Betrothal and the Angel’s Message
Mary was betrothed to Joseph. Betrothal was not like modern engagement; it was a binding legal commitment, a type of marriage contract that could only be dissolved formally. In many respects they were considered married, except that they did not have sexual relations until the wedding day.
That is why Joseph, when he discovered Mary was with child, did not want to shame her and planned to quietly put her away. But Scripture says the angel Gabriel came to Joseph in a dream and told him not to do so, because what Mary was carrying was no ordinary child. This child was conceived by the Holy Spirit.
Joseph was instructed that when the child was born, he should call Him Jesus. The message explains that Jesus (Yeshua) means “God saves,” and that He would save His people from their sins.
Who This Child Truly Is: God in the Flesh
Isaiah also prophesied that this child would be no ordinary person. Various titles would be given to Him—such as Eternal Father, Prince of Peace, and Mighty God. The message emphasizes that what we are meant to see in this child is God in the flesh.
The Mission of Jesus: Saving Sinners
The child would grow into maturity and become a man. Jesus understood clearly what His mission was: to save sinners. The message stresses that Jesus also understood He is the only means of salvation.
In John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.” He is presented as the only way and the only truth, and therefore the only means of salvation.
The book of Acts (chapter 4) is also referenced: “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Jesus taught that if a person will come before God and have eternal life, it must be through Him. He also said that whoever tries to enter the sheepfold another way is a thief and a robber—Jesus is the door, and He is the only way.
Christianity as God’s Initiative, Not Man’s Attempt
The message highlights what it calls the unique thing about Christianity: it is exclusive, and salvation must be initiated by God Himself. Scripture is cited: Romans 5:8 says God demonstrates His love in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. First John 4 says love is not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
The word propitiation is explained as the satisfaction of divine justice through a bloody sacrifice. The message contrasts this with other religions, describing them as man’s attempt to reach up to God, while Christianity is presented as God coming down—God taking the initiative by sending His Son.
The Problem Jesus Came to Undo: Adam, Sin, and Death
To understand why Jesus came, the message returns to the beginning. God created Adam and Eve, male and female, in His image. He gave them one command: they could eat from any tree in the garden except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If they ate from that tree, they would die—immediately spiritually, and eventually physically.
They disobeyed, and through Adam, sin and misery entered the human race. The message claims that the problems we see in the world trace back to that first rebellion.
God’s Holiness and the Demands of His Law
God is described as holy—separate from His creatures—and His holiness requires perfection. The message refers to Jesus as the second Adam (from 1 Corinthians 15), meaning He came to undo the consequences of what the first Adam did.
God’s holiness is summarized in the Ten Commandments. God expects perfect obedience—personal, perfect, and continual obedience. Galatians is referenced: anyone who does not abide by all things written in the law to do them is under a curse.
How the Commandments Are Broken
The message explains that the commandments are violated not only through outward actions but also through inward desires and attitudes. Jesus taught that anger without cause makes a person guilty, and insulting someone brings serious accountability before God. Jesus also taught that lust in the heart breaks the commandment against adultery. Scripture is also referenced: if someone knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to that person it is sin.
Therefore, people are described as violating God’s law continually.
How Much Sin Condemns a Person?
The question is asked: how many sins does it take to condemn us before a holy God? James 2:10 is referenced: whoever keeps the whole law yet stumbles in one point is guilty of all.
The message compares this to an exam: if you miss one question out of 100, you score 99, which is excellent. But according to the standard described here, even one sin is enough to make a person guilty and subject to consequences in God’s world.
The Universal Problem: Everyone Has Sinned
Romans 3:23 is referenced: all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The law makes the whole world accountable, and by the works of the law no one is justified—because through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
The message rejects the idea that salvation is achieved through a “good works versus bad works” balance scale. It argues that salvation is not by works but by grace and mercy.
The Great Chasm Between God and Humanity
Because of sin, a great chasm exists between a holy God and sinful man. The message compares it again to a stadium: one side represents God’s holiness, the other represents sinful humanity. The chance of jumping across and making it is described as zero. Human effort and good works cannot bridge the gap.
Consequences of Sin: Death and the Warning of Hell
The Bible says the wages of sin is death, and Ezekiel says the soul that sins shall die. People may want heaven and fear hell, and the message notes that Jesus spoke often about hell. Hell is described as a place where the worm never dies, the fire is never quenched, and there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.
But the message insists: you do not have to go there.
One Word to Remember: Substitution
The message then introduces one key word: substitution. This is presented as how God saves sinners.
1 Peter 3 is referenced: Christ died for sins, the just for the unjust, to bring us to God. Colossians 2 is referenced to explain that people accumulate a great debt through sin—decrees against them that are hostile. But Christ cancels the debt and removes it by nailing it to the cross.
The message teaches that Christ forgives all sins and that God’s forgiveness is complete.
God’s Forgiveness Is Total
Two passages are used to explain forgiveness. Micah 7:19 says God casts sins into the depths of the sea, never to be found again. Psalm 103:12 says God separates sins as far as the east is from the west—an infinite distance—showing forgiveness is total.
The message notes that crucifixion was a terrible death, but the worst suffering was Jesus bearing the price of human rebellion. When Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” it is presented as connected to Isaiah’s prophecy that it pleased the Father to crush the Son and lay on Him the iniquity of us all. Without the shedding of blood, the Bible says there is no forgiveness of sins.
Christ’s Righteousness Credited to Believers
Substitution is described in a second way: someone must obey God’s law perfectly. Jesus lived a sinless life so His righteousness could be credited to others as if they had accomplished it themselves.
A banking illustration is used: if you had only a small amount in your account and then suddenly found a massive deposit credited to you, it would not be because you earned it, but because someone deposited it for you. In the same way, the message says Christ’s righteousness is imputed—credited—to believers.
The Required Response: Repent and Believe
This does not happen automatically. Jesus preached in Galilee: the kingdom of God is at hand—repent and believe the gospel.
Two responses are required:
Repentance means a change of mind and a deep sorrow over breaking God’s law, with a desire for a changed life.
Faith means trusting in Jesus and in what He has done as a substitute, because salvation cannot be earned by human effort.
Jesus repeatedly said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” The message emphasizes listening not only with physical ears but with the heart.
Faith Comes by Hearing
Romans 10 is referenced: whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. But people cannot call unless they believe, cannot believe unless they hear, cannot hear without a preacher, and preachers must be sent. Therefore, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
The message states that when the gospel is faithfully proclaimed, listeners are not merely hearing a man—they are hearing Jesus, who preaches through His preachers.
Invitation to Rest and Eternal Life
Jesus invites those who are weary and burdened to come to Him, promising rest. His yoke is easy and His burden is light—not a system of decrees earned by effort, but salvation through substitution. The message acknowledges that life is tough, but insists that meaning and abundant life are found in Christ.
It cites God’s call: “Why will you die? I take no pleasure in the death of anyone… therefore repent and live.” And it emphasizes that today is the day of salvation.
Closing Appeal
The message closes with a plea: stop trying to please God by your own efforts and accept the substitutionary work of Jesus on your behalf. If you repent and believe, you will have eternal life.
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