"In the beginning, in the eternal counsels of God, before there was a world or a lost race of men, Jesus foresaw all human history and knew that He was to redeem the race. Thus, in the fullness of time, in the days of Herod, He assumed a body so that He could offer up that body as the perfect sacrifice for man’s sin.” (James Montgomery Boice)

"Does Jesus Christ hate sin? Yes! So God has always hated sin also. Does Jesus Christ love the sinner? Yes! Therefore, God loves him also. Barclay says, “What Jesus did was to open a window in time that we might see the eternal and unchanging love of God.” In fact, God so hates sin and so loves the sinner that in eternity he planned the way in which he would redeem the race. We read the Old Testament and we find God saying, “There must be an atonement for sin.” We read the accounts of Christ’s life and death, and we find God saying, “There is the atonement for sin.” We come to our time and as the Word of God is preached we find God speaking to our hearts and saying, “That was the atonement for sin. Believe it and be saved.” God has always been like Jesus." (James Montgomery Boice)

Why Does It Matter?
1. When we see the heart of Christ, we see the heart of God.
2. If He is who the Scriptures say, encountering Him demands a response.