Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. (Matthew 28:20, KJV)

The Son of Man came. Strange the errand, and unique as the blessed Person who undertook it. Thus to come He stooped from the highest throne in glory down to the manger of Bethlehem, and on His part it was voluntary. We are, as it were, thrust upon the stage of action; it is not of our will that we have come to live on this earth.

But Jesus had no need to have been born of the Virgin. It was of His own consent, His choice, His strong desire, that made Him take upon Himself our nature, of the seed of Abraham. He came voluntarily on an errand of mercy to the sons of men.

Dwell upon this thought for a moment; let it sink into your mind; He who was King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, voluntarily, cheerfully descended that He might dwell among the sons of men, share their sorrows, bear their sins, and yield Himself up a sacrifice for them, the innocent Victim of their intolerable guilt. (At the Master’s Feet, December 24)

Charles Spurgeon