Skip to main content

The Greatest Gift


                John the Baptist had one job and that was to “prepare the way for the Lord” (Luke 1:76).  He did that by highlighting three blessings that Jesus would bring. 
                First, he talked about a restored relationship with God.  Reunions can be wonderful.  In fact, many of you are looking forward to the Christmas season because of the reunions that will take place.  John said that Jesus would come, “To give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God” (verses 77 and 78).  Sin separates us from God, but through his Son, God gives us a way home.
                Next, John spoke of Jesus as “The rising sun [who] will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and the shadow of death” (verses 78 and 79).  The world can seem like a dark place, but Jesus brings the light of hope that allows us to see the beauty that surrounds us.  The world can be a scary place, but Jesus can change our world. 
                Lastly, John spoke about how Jesus would “Guide our feet in the path of peace” (verse 79).  One of my favorite pictures of Jesus comes from Matthew chapter eight.  He and his friends are in a little boat on the Sea of Galilee when a huge storm comes up.  His friends are scared and they believe that they are going to drown, so they call out to Jesus, but he is not worried.  In fact, he is fast asleep!  When he wakes up, he asks, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?”  Faith is rooted in the belief that God is in control and that there is more going on than what we see or perceive.  One of the best marks of spiritual maturity, then, is an attitude of peacefulness. 
                Our world could certainly use some peace, some light and a spiritual connection to our heavenly father. 
                Fortunately, those blessings, and many more, are given to us through Jesus, the greatest gift of all.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Art of Noticing.... Seeing what we need to see and what we miss when we don't

 What we focus on in life matters. Here are some scriptural reminders that will help us see correctly.  https://youtu.be/Rn76tV0ZH8s    
Post a Comment
Read more

Consider This.... Which Way Are You Leaning?

   When Ben Patterson agreed to join three friends climbing Mount Lyell, the highest point in Yosemite National Park, he did not realize what he was signing up for.  Early in the day, it became clear that he was completely unprepared for the task.  In an effort to keep up with his more experienced friends, Ben took a shortcut.  It did not occur to him that there might be a reason the others had not selected this route, but he soon found out why.  Ben became stuck on the glacier.  He could not move up, down or sideways and one wrong move would send him sliding down a forty-five-degree slope to the valley floor miles below.   That is when one of his friends came to the rescue. His buddy leaned over the edge and carved some footholds in the ice.  He told Ben to step to the first foothold and immediately swing his other foot to the second, then his buddy would pull him to safety.  Lastly, his friend gave him one more piece of advice....
Post a Comment
Read more

Consider This: The Biggest Problem Is Not Out There!

In a time when everyone has a vocal opinion on everything and judgment is everywhere, maybe we need to reconsider the words of Jesus. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?  How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:3-5).  Here are two observations to consider. First, when we look for what others are doing wrong, we are starting in the wrong place.  “Take the log out of your eye” is the first move.  Start with yourself!  It is easy to judge others and make excuses for ourselves.  Yet, that is completely backwards! If we are honest, we never get past making ourselves better.  There is always more to do.  This, then, leaves very little time to point out...
Post a Comment
Read more