And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7
The term ‘firstborn’ in the Scriptures has a special meaning, and does not necessarily refer to the first child born into a family. It is in fact a title that indicates rank or position, or order of precedence. For example, in Colossians 1:15, we find the Lord Jesus identified as the Image of the invisible God, the Firstborn of every creature. Verse 17 of that chapter tells us that He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. Verse 18 declares that in all things He might have the preeminence. So we see God’s declaration and God’s assessment of His Son as His Firstborn, the One Who outranks all of creation, whether of humanity or angels, all are subject to Him and all acknowledge Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. But our text does not speak specifically of the Lord Jesus as being the Firstborn of God, but of Him as Mary’s Firstborn.
No birth on earth could have been more humble, as we read of the holy Infant being wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed in a feed box, probably in a cattle enclosure. That shepherds came to worship indicates that God would not leave His Son’s arrival on earth without acknowledgment. Both angels and shepherds did Him true homage. And yet, Mary’s Firstborn was given no room by humanity, and Mary and Joseph had not the financial means to accord Him a place more in accordance with His rank. They did the best they could, but the humble birth of the Lord Jesus indicates to us the humility of the One Who made Himself of no reputation. Apart from the worship of the shepherds and of Simeon and Anna in the temple, and the adoration of the magi in his childhood, the world saw no evidence of His rank of Firstborn among them. But of all infants ever born to women in this world, none holds a higher rank than He, both during His earthly sojourn and in all of eternity.
We accept – although we will never understand – that God the Son became a man. He Who ever was and ever will be God became something that He never was before. But when He returned to Heaven after His resurrection, He did not cease to be a man. There is indeed a Man in the glory, exalted at His Father’s right hand. And He holds the highest rank there, as His Father’s Firstborn. And as Mary’s Firstborn. We often ponder on His greatness in His deity and power and might and dominion. But we do well to also consider His priority in all things human. As the Seed of the woman, He is not under the curse of sin, as all of the rest of humanity is. In His purity and holiness, He is able to be our kinsman Representative to argue our case daily before His Father. In His humanity, He is able to understand and appreciate all that we encounter. But He rises in victorious dominion over all.
Mary’s Firstborn is not only God Almighty, He is also the pinnacle of all that mankind was ever intended to be. And He is our Lord and Saviour. – Jim MacIntosh