AUGUST 15, 2025 – REDEMPTION

READ: Gal. 4:1–5: … But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law …

Paul again contrasts the two conditions. Because of our sins, we had become slaves, immature children, subjected to the yoke of the law and childish regulations (cf. v.9). But then God intervened for our sakes. In the fullness of time—after working toward it for thousands of years—God begins a new path with us. He sends His Son, His only Son, to fulfill the Father’s will.

To do this, He becomes human, like His brothers in every way, except without sin. Literally it says: “born of a woman.” God’s Son takes on human nature from Mary. The Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary for this. At the same time, He remains God. An incomprehensible miracle.

Jesus is born “under the law.” He submits Himself to it. This was already evident at His circumcision on the eighth day and His presentation in the temple. “Under the law” also means keeping God’s commandments. He alone would carry them out perfectly, in all their depth and breadth (see Matt. 5:17).

The Lord Jesus comes under the law to fulfill it! What we are incapable of doing, He has done in our place. Moreover, He not only undergoes all the shadowy elements of the law, but also brings them to full reality. He fulfilled everything completely—down to the smallest letter, the jot and tittle.

Only He was capable of this, as a human being in every way like us but without sin. This makes Him truly the Redeemer to whom all the Old Testament looked forward.

Paul concludes in verse 5 with the purpose of His coming: “to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”

Christ came to reconcile lawbreakers—Jews and Gentiles—to God. He gave His life as a ransom to the Father: reconciliation by satisfaction, through free grace, solely on the merit of Christ.

What a gospel! 

What does it mean to be a child of God?

Sing: Ps. 40:3