“They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.” 2 Corinthians 8:5 NLT
My mom has a birthday today. The number of her age is not as important as understanding she is closer to ninety than to eighty. I am still trying to wrap my head around that!
Birthdays are an opportunity to express love and appreciation. We usually give gifts, right? What gift does an almost ninety-year-old need? What is the best gift?
Perhaps you’ve asked that question as well. I’m learning that the answer has implications far beyond a birthday present for my mom.
Jesus is the model for the best gift. When God gave a gift to humanity He gave Jesus. John 3:16 describes the gift that matters most.
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17 NLT
God gave His only Son to redeem our broken relationship with Him. The fullness of God dwelt in Jesus. (Colossians 1:19-20) When God gave His only son, He gave us Himself. Yes, Jesus sacrificed Himself, but then He also gave us the gift of His presence in the Holy Spirit. He is with us. Jesus gave us Himself. Not just on the cross, but every day.
Giving begins with a decision. At the right time, God sent Jesus, but He decided long in advance. (Galatians 4:4, Ephesians 1:4-5) From the moment of creation God knew humans could not maintain an intimate relationship with Him. (Isaiah 46:10) He knew Eve and Adam would succumb to the temptation to forge their own broken path and planned in advance to restore what was broken. Sending Jesus started with a decision based on our need.
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