God always does everything at the right time. Maybe not according to our timetable, but certainly according to His! Paul brings this out explicitly in his discussion of the incarnation of Christ—His coming to earth—and His purpose in doing so.

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

– Galatians 4:4-5

The section begins, “when the fullness of the time was come.” This statement implies that all that had transpired since creation came to a climax at a specific point in time. Two years earlier would’ve been too soon; two years later, too late.

The timing of Christ’s birth involved circumstances in the Roman Empire, the region around Nazareth, Babylon and her magi, Jerusalem and the presiding king Herod, some shepherds, an innkeeper, and of course, Joseph and Mary. The convergence of all the details of that immediate time and of all the people involved was critical for God’s plan to be fully expressed.

But go deeper.

Rehearse in your mind for a few moments what you can recall from Israel’s history…the emergence of the Roman Empire…the collapse of the Greek, Medo-Persian, and Babylonian empires…the Davidic royal line…the rejection of Saul…the story of Ruth…the deliverance from Egypt…the immoral behavior of Judah with his daughter-in-law Tamar…the selection of Jacob over Esau…the securing of a bride for Isaac…the miraculous birth of Isaac…the call of Abram…the preservation of Noah and his offspring…the creation of Adam and Eve…. It all had a point of culmination: the fullness of time when Jesus Messiah was born.

The exciting thing about this passage in Galatians 4 is that the grand design of the ages was not merely for the bringing forth of the divine Christ-child, but for the redemption of lost people—“…to redeem them that were under the law….” And why? “…That we might receive the adoption of sons.” In other words, what God did at just the right time in human history was to send His Son for the express purpose of being our Savior!

Has that purpose been fulfilled in your life?