The Perfect Man for the Job

“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.” (Gal. 4:4, 5, NASU)

Paul wrote these words to the Galatians describing Jesus as being the perfect man for the mission He was sent to accomplish. There was truly no other person who could fulfill this role, and no one else can claim His position as Lord. This eternal truth is proven in four different ways by Paul.

“[T]he fullness of the time…”

There was no more perfect time in history than the birth of Jesus for His coming. The entire world was held together in a shaky peace known as Pax Romana. Koine (common) Greek pervaded the landscape as the language of commerce. World travel and industry were at an all-time high (up until that point in history), just as the Jewish nation was heading toward her own decline and destruction. Removing God from the equation (which is impossible), there has been and will be no better time chosen for Jesus’ work. It truly was the “fullness of the time.”

“[B]orn of a woman…”

The redemptive work of Jesus required a human birth. This focus upon woman emphasizes Jesus’ human quality and form – the work of a man in every sense of the word. This connection toward woman emphasizes the origin of all men (save Adam and Eve) through common descent and family (cf. Job 15:14). Who would guess that God would come to earth in this form? What pagan mind could conceive of such a thought? Not even the prophets or angels foresaw such a perfect plan – fulfilled by the perfect man.

“[B]orn under the Law…”

The redemptive work of Jesus required being under Law (specifically the Law of Moses). To place the perfect man under the Law proved His innocence. The purpose of law has always been to convict man of sin, never to save man from sin (Rom. 7:9ff). In order for the sinless sacrifice to be a perfect offering, He had to be tested by the Law. This Law had as much authority over this Jew from Nazareth as any other Jew. The only difference being that He fulfilled and followed the Law perfectly.

“[S]o that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive adoption as sons.”

The mission of Jesus would not have been complete without fulfilling its purpose. There was no purpose in God coming in the form of a man simply to prove He was perfect and innocent. Jesus did not come simply to “show a better way” or “to bring enlightenment to the world.” Jesus came to be a sacrifice – to redeem sinful man from sin. Only this perfect man could accomplish this task.

Jesus was the perfect man to accomplish the mission He was sent to accomplish. He did so without hesitation and without difficulty. There will be no other savior, guide, or Messiah to provide hope for a lost and dying world. No other man could accomplish what God purposed so long ago.