So what was it? You know that one thing you were hoping to find under your tree but didn’t. You try to hide the disappointment from the eager faces of your family who are demanding to see the look of awe as you unwrap yet another pair of slippers from that gold tinted paper. “Ahhh, just what I wanted”, you lied (again this year). Well, I will tell you what mine was a Cannon Rebel professional digital camera (from Dan’s Camera City). Now I realize that it costs about $1500.00 but come on its Christmas after all. What the fat guy in the red suit was affected by the economy as well? It’s not like I asked for a Red Ryder BB Gun, the potential to “shoot my eye out” is not a valid excuse as it was for poor Ralphie in A Christmas Story.
I know, I know, it is the thought that counts. And yes, I loved the gifts that I received, the new PJ’s, the bracelet, the Barnes and Noble gift card (oh yeah), and the clothes. And thank God for teenage daughters who can carefully assist your husband in the selection of your new attire. My daughter must constantly remind my husband that I am not in sales (street sales that is). Yes, everything I got was beautiful…yet…it wasn’t what I wanted. Of course all of my fellow believers are probably gasping at my lack of gratitude on such a holy occasion. It’s Jesus’ birthday they will say. Yes, this I know…but I still want the camera and I am sure that although they may not admit it openly…there was something they were all looking for under their tree as well. And I believe if we were to look close enough we were not the first generation of ungrateful Christmas gift openers. Let’s take a look.
Matthew 1:21 (NIV) 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
The angel appeared to both Mary and to Joseph and announced that the child shall be called “Jesus” which translated means “he saves”. So the original gift on Christmas day was the gift of salvation. That was the plan, the purpose, the eternal promise…a gift that would keep on giving, one might say. After Jesus grew up and began His public ministry people were in awe of the miracles, the healings, the incredible and unbelievable words that poured from His lips. They were thankful for the gift; the one “who saves”. They followed Him and worshipped Him. Yet, on one particular day before He would be crucified their worship brought Him to tears…why?
Matthew 21:8-9 (NIV) 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest!"
Luke 19:41-42 (NKJV)41 Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, 42 saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.
I believe that the reason Jesus wept because after all He had done they still didn’t get it. Jesus was supposed to “save” but from what exactly? In the book of Matthew it says the crowd (even the disciples) shouted Hosanna which means “He saves now”. You see they were not looking for the eternal salvation that Jesus was bringing to them. They were looking for a Savior from the government’s oppression. They wanted deliverance not from their sins but from their situation. They did not care about eternal life, they wanted a comfortable life. They wanted a Santa Claus to bring them gifts that spoil the soul not save it. Can you imagine that after 2,000 years we are still the same greedy people as those who were able to walk and talk with the gift of salvation?
Imagine as Jesus rode on that donkey…looking out among the crowd as they shouted and celebrated their “hero” that was going to overthrow the government. It is hard being misunderstood but to that degree it had to be unimaginable. He knew what His future held. It was almost time for His departure. All the efforts He had made to get them to realize what He was here to do was about to dissipate in a hail storm of false accusations and eventually a sentence of death. How would these people react when they realized the gift they thought they’d been given was recalled? Their dreams of freedom from their oppression was about to be shattered.
Imagine the loneliness as He hung on that cross looking into the disappointed faces of those He was willing to die for. “He saves. Ha. He can’t even save Himself,” some were heard saying. The disciples scattered. One of His own had even become the betrayer who handed Him over to death. Everyone else denied even knowing Him. He was the greatest gift not under a tree but hanging upon one. No flashy paper. No ribbon. Just a half naked man covered in blood…an unsightly but undeniable gift to the world. Who was willing to receive it? Not many. Why?
I remember when I was just nine years old the one gift that I had been denied on Christmas morning, roller skates. I wanted a pair so badly. I was one of the only kids that had to use the rentals on Friday skate nights (it was quite embarrassing). When I did not find them under my tree at home I was sure they would be at Grandma’s house. She was always good at knowing exactly what we wanted. That year she had surprisingly decided to skip Christmas shopping and instead gave us all a 100$ savings bond. I was appalled. What kid on the face of the earth wants that for Christmas? I would have to wait 7 years to use it to buy my skates and by that time, well, I could drive to the skating rink. Funny, that I remember the one thing I didn’t get but I can’t tell you one other thing I got that year except that stupid savings bond.
The reason we are so disappointed on Christmas morning is also the same reason so many people will walk away from God in this New Year. We fail to recognize the gift we have been given. We are so busy asking for the temporal blessings that we stop being in awe of the eternal blessing. Jesus came to save the world from their sins. In doing this he opened the door to an eternal relationship with the God of Heaven. Just like the saving bond the value of the gift would not be redeemable until we stood before Him face to face. Could you imagine if we could have just a momentary glance into paradise…would our Christmas list look a little different?
Could you imagine if someone were to buy me a pair of skates now? What would my response be? I don’t know about you but I want to start seeking the gifts of God that are eternal that can never grow old or be recalled. Our Christmas list should look something like this:
This year I want the gift of your forgiveness, I want the gift of peace, I want the gift of faith, I want the gift of love, I want the gift of joy…not that temporal joy that comes with monetary or material gifts but the joy I feel when I know that you are pleased with me. I want the gift of prayer, I want the gift of compassion and grace for everyone else in my life…not to receive their praise but that through my life they may come to know you. I want a savings bond…I want Jesus’ gift of eternal salvation that was paid for on the cross and granted by an empty tomb and promised for those who believe in Him to be my greatest desire. And finally, I want to only ever be disappointed again when I fail to walk worthy of this gift.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
No comments:
Post a Comment