THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL
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“Believe.” How often we see this catchword throughout the Christmas season. The secular world has adopted it for everyone to embrace. It matters not who or what a person believes in as long as they “believe”.
Yet, to Christians, “believe” has sacred significance. For we believe in the One whose birth we celebrate at Christmas… the Holy One, Jesus Christ…
“For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6
Who is Jesus to you? Do you see Him as the world sees Him… a tiny infant in a manger?… a peace-loving man? … a great moral teacher? Or is He the Almighty and Eternal Son of God… the King of kings and Lord of lords in your life?
“Christ is all and is in all.” – Colossians 3:11
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word.” – Hebrews 1:3
“By Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible.” – Colossians 1:16
Jesus, the everlasting Son of God, entered His creation to pay the ransom for the sins of all. The perfect, sinless Lamb of God laid down His life of His own accord out of love for mankind. Those who believe in Him will live forever in His holy presence.
“God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name. So that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” – Philippians 2:9-10
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” – Acts 4:12
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” – John 3:17
During His earthly ministry, Jesus never claimed to be anything other than God. Time and again he angered the Jewish leaders by claiming oneness with the Father. Considering this to be blasphemy, they repeatedly sought to have Him killed. Their hearts were hardened. They refused to believe that this Man was the Messiah.
“Are you saying of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?” – John 10:36
“I and the Father are one.” – John 10:30
“No one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.” – Matthew 11:27
God the Father confirmed the deity of Jesus at His baptism…
“Heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily form like a dove. And a Voice came from heaven: ‘You are My Son, whom I love; with You I am well pleased.’” – Luke 3:21-22
…and again, at the Transfiguration God validated the divinity of His Son…
“A bright cloud covered them, and a Voice from the cloud said, ‘This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!’” – Matthew 17:5
Jesus is the thread of hope than runs throughout the Old Testament. The prophets of old shared of this Blessed One who was to come…
“Look, your King is coming to you! He comes triumphant and victorious.” – Zechariah 9:9
“Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One in whom I delight; I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations.” – Isaiah 42:1
“His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” – Daniel 7:14
Jesus shared of His promised role as Savior of the world…
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me.” – John 14:1
“I am the Gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved. They will come in and go out and find pasture.” – John 10:9
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” – Luke 19:10
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed His last prayer for all He came to save…
“Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You. For You granted Him authority over all people, so that He may give eternal life to all those You have given Him.” – John 17:1-2
Is this the Jesus you know and love? Is He the One in whom you believe? Is He the One you have trusted with your life?
“My Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” – John 6:40
Jesus Christ is the greatest gift of all. This Christmas, receive this gift of love from the Father. Believe in the One who is the blessed Savior of all. Let Jesus be King and Lord of your life.
