“I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.” John 6:38 | “I came from the Father and entered the world.”
John 16:28
“Honey, shouldn’t we get rid of some of the stuff piling up in our basement?” I ask my wife. “Sure,” she replies, “as soon as you clear out the junk from the garage!”
We have this conversation periodically. Other times we even wonder if we could get by without a car, if we could squeeze into a place half the size of our current home, or if we could sell everything and head off to a mission field.
If any of this sounds familiar, you also probably know how hard it is to actually let go of what you’ve accumulated over time. Most of us enjoy our material things too much to walk away from them completely.
Now think about Jesus who had everything, yet gave it up to enter our world. He did not consider all that he had—including equality with God—something to be held onto. In the Father’s presence He had untold power, glory, and riches. Yet He left it all behind, emptying Himself to personally demonstrate His love for us.
As you give Christmas gifts to those you love, marvel at the unspeakable gift of salvation that Jesus purchased for you.
We have this conversation periodically. Other times we even wonder if we could get by without a car, if we could squeeze into a place half the size of our current home, or if we could sell everything and head off to a mission field.
If any of this sounds familiar, you also probably know how hard it is to actually let go of what you’ve accumulated over time. Most of us enjoy our material things too much to walk away from them completely.
Now think about Jesus who had everything, yet gave it up to enter our world. He did not consider all that he had—including equality with God—something to be held onto. In the Father’s presence He had untold power, glory, and riches. Yet He left it all behind, emptying Himself to personally demonstrate His love for us.
As you give Christmas gifts to those you love, marvel at the unspeakable gift of salvation that Jesus purchased for you.
Scripture Focus
Philippians 2:6-8
Insight
Pause in wonder at all He left behind for you. You’ll never be given a gift more costly than the one which came from a Bethlehem stable.
Bible In A Year
- Amos 7-9
- Proverbs 19
- 1 John 5
