When it comes to gift giving, we often associate the value of the gift with the value of the recipient. For example, if you give someone an expensive gift, it sends the message that you think highly of them; that you love them and value them. A beautiful ring or nice necklace says a lot compared to a batch of wilted flowers!
And when it comes to Christmas we especially think of gifts. When I was a boy, I looked forward to Christmas all year, thinking about all the presents I’d get. The idea that Santa “knows when you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness’ sake”, was always on my mind. I wanted to be a good boy so that when Santa came, I’d get what I was deserving of.
But as Romans 5:6-8 shows us we are not worthy of “the gift” God gives to this fallen world! In fact, the picture the apostle paints in Romans 5:6-7 is that we’re the furthest thing from worthy. For he describes mankind as “powerless”, “ungodly”, and as “sinners.” Now if you were on Santa’s list at this point, you’d be noted as a bad boy or girl and you wouldn’t get anything in your stocking except maybe a lump of coal.
But as the apostle shows us: God is not Santa! In fact, God does the opposite of what we might expect. For instead of giving sinful mankind the gift it’s due for its sin He gives the most amazing gift of all, namely the gift of His Son, Jesus, the baby born in Bethlehem.
For note what Paul says in v.8: “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” In other words, the manger was not the goal of Jesus’ coming – it was the cross! For Jesus went there to die in our place so that instead of experiencing God’s wrath for our sin, it came upon Him! As Isa.53:6 says, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
Yes, God put our sin on Jesus and on the cross He paid our debt and set us free! And that, dear friends, is the glorious, amazing, and undeserving love of a holy God to sinners.
Do you know the joy found in Jesus? Has this gift of God been opened in your heart? What is your reason to celebrate this Christmas? Is it Jesus and His love, or is it wrapped up in all the presents, songs, and parties of the season? Well, all these things are passing and fading away but what we find in Jesus is eternal. For He came to redeem the lost, hurting, and needy of the world, people like you and me!
Yes, Jesus is the most amazing gift of all!
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Ancel Merwin serves as Reverend of Immanuel United Reformed Church in Listowel.
