Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The Christmas season is often characterized by giving. We try to give special gifts to those we love. Many give so generous-ly that they spend many months of the next year recovering from debt they have incurred! I’m not discouraging giving, at Christmas or any other time, but I want to draw attention to one who has given us far more than we could ever give.
For over a year our focus has been on the most amazing Person who has ever lived. We have seen who He is and what He has done. He is the God-man, the Creator, the Savior, the Lord of all. We have examined the Lord Jesus in the glory of His person and work. In light of what we have seen about Him, it’s fitting to focus on Him as the central message of Christmas. In this final study of this series, we answer the question: “Who is the Greatest Gift of All?” Let’s look at three important truths.
The Lord Jesus was given by the Father. . .
He is the Son given, that we might have eternal life (Isa. 9:6; John 3:16).
He is the Bread of life given, that we might live forever (John 6:32-35, 48-51).
He is the Son delivered up for us all, that the Father might also give us all other things (Rom. 8:32).
The Lord Jesus was sent by the Father. . .
He was sent into the world, to save the world, not to condemn it (John 3:17).
He was sent by the Father, that the Son may also send us into the world (John 17:18; 20:21).
He was sent by the Father, condemning sin in the flesh (Rom. 8:3).
He was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matt. 15:24).
He was sent to heal the brokenhearted, deliver captives, open the eyes of the blind, set at liberty the oppressed, and proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD (Luke 4:18-19).
He was sent to preach the kingdom of God (Luke 4:43).
He was sent to do the Father’s will and to finish His work (John 4:34; 6:38).
He was sent to give eternal life to all who are believing in Him (John 6:38-40).
He was sent to seek the glory of the One who sent Him (John 7:18).
He was sent to work the works of Him who sent Him (John 9:4).
He was sent to obey the Father’s command to speak what the Father wants Him to speak (John 12:49-50).
He was sent to bless His people, in turning them away from their iniquities (Acts 3:26).
He was sent to redeem those who were under the Law (Gal. 4:4-5).
He was sent, that we might live through Him (I John 4:9).
He was sent to be the propitiation (satisfaction offering) for our sins (I John 4:10).
He was sent to be the Savior of the world (I John 4:14).
The Lord Jesus gave Himself for us. . .
He gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world (Gal. 1:4).
He gave Himself for us, which shows His love for us (Gal. 2:20).
He gave Himself for the Church, which shows His love for the Church (Eph. 5:25).
He gave Himself for us as an offering and pleasing sacrifice to God (the Father) (Eph. 5:2).
He gave Himself for all as a ransom (paying the redemption price) (I Tim. 2:6).
He gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us and purify us for Himself a people of His own (Tit. 2:14).
The Word of God is clear that the Father gave His Son for the world and sent His Son into the world. It is equally clearly that the Lord Jesus gave Himself for us. We are each recipients of this love-gift from the Father. This is what we celebrate during this Christmas season. The Lord Jesus came into this world to carry out the work given to Him by the Father, but also to give Himself to save sinners. This would be accomplished through His death on the cross for our sins.
While Christmas is marked by giving gifts to those we love, let’s remember the true reason for Christmas: God gave His Son for us. The apostle Paul speaks about grace giving in II Corinthians 8-9 as he exhorts us to give generously to the Lord and others. The occasion related to Gentile believers taking up an offering to help the poor Jewish believers in Jerusalem. Paul concludes the chapters in a fitting way: “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (II Cor. 9:15). This answers the question about the greatest gift of all. Though believers giving to meet needs of others is addressed, the greatest gift of all should motivate us to be faithful in giving. What is the greatest gift of all? “His indescribable gift.” It is not “what,” but rather “who,” that answers that question. The Lord Jesus is the greatest Gift of all! He was given to us by the Father. In His discussion on giving, Paul elaborates on this greatest Gift: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (II Cor. 8:9). That’s the message of Christmas: not the gifts that we give, but the supreme Gift which the Father gave. It is only through that Gift that we have salvation and eternal life. As we remember this greatest Gift, let’s give ourselves to this One who gave Himself for us.
Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie