God became man in Christ because only one who was both God and man could achieve our salvation. In approaching the subject from Anselm’s perspective,* we do not want to say that there are no other reasons for the Incarnation. We have … noted that it reveals the value set by God upon human life. Life is declared to be valuable by the creation alone, but sin has cheapened life. The Incarnation, coming in the midst of a history of human sin, indicated that God has not abandoned us but loves us and values us even in our fallen state. The Incarnation does two further things. It shows us that God is able to understand us and sympathize with us, which is an inducement to come to him in prayer. Also, the Incarnation gives an example of how a person ought to live in this world. Peter refers even to the crucifixion in such terms: “Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:21).

But the atonement is the real reason for the Incarnation. The author of Hebrews affirms this clearly. “It is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, ‘Sacrifices and offerings thou hast not desired, but a body hast thou prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings thou hast taken no pleasure. Then I said, “Lo, I have come to do thy will, O God,” as it is written of me in the roll of the book’” (Hebrews 10:4-7). The writer then adds that when Jesus said he is coming to do God’s will, that will must be understood as the providing of a better sacrifice. “And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ one for all” (Hebrews 10:10).

*(Anselm of Canterbury – born 1033 – died 1109 )

from chapter 11, page 287-288 – Foundations of the Christian Faith, James Montgomery Boice