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Bible Reading
Bible Reading
Today we do not have just one reading.
On a number of occasions, Jesus spoke about why He had come - His purpose, His mission. Jesus' own words on this give us clarity. He expressed His purpose in several ways but they all point to the same thing. Other biblical writers also stated clearly why Jesus had come. We will read a handful of those statements but, if you want to consider a fuller list, click here.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. (Luke 19:10)
...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28)
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. (1 Timothy 1:15)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)
Comments
Comments
Consider those passages in the light of the journey we have been on. Remember the Garden of Eden - God's perfect creation. Remember the disruption that occurred when Eve and Adam disobeyed God. Everything changed. The perfection of God's creation was lost and replaced by brokenness, pain, suffering, and alienation from God and from each other. Adam and Eve had been told "You will die". Death and decay became part of the fabric of the world.
Read through the statements above again and notice how they describe God's rescue plan. That plan centres on Jesus. He is the One given to change things.
"The thief" refers to Satan. In the garden he robbed, killed and destroyed and he continues to wreak havoc. Watch the news to see the amount of suffering there is in the world. In our own lives, when we allow Satan to influence us, the result is always pain. He might tempt us by making the outcome look fantastic (as he did with Eve) but disobeying God always results in pain.
Jesus came to change that. He came that we might have life rather than death - not just life but a full and abundant life.
He came to seek and to save the lost. He is the Good Shepherd searching for the lost sheep so as to carry it back to safety in His care.
How would Jesus make such a difference? How could He change the whole state of the world? He came to give His life as a ransom for many. A ransom is a price paid to set someone free. We are all trapped in sin and its consequences but a price has been paid to set us free. We could never pay that price because we continue to disobey God but the sinless Jesus gave His life for us.
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
And all of this was motivated by the love of God for His disobedient children. God never gave up.
For Reflection
For Reflection
Read and re-read the statements above. Let God speak to you through them. What is He saying to you today?
How will you respond to Him?
Read those statements again. Ponder how they fit into the journey we have been on.
A Carol (What Child Is This?)
A Carol (What Child Is This?)
A Christmas Tradition
A Christmas Tradition
La Befana
La Befana
An Italian tradition centres around La Befana who in some ways is like Santa Claus.
One version of the tradition says that the magi, on their journey to Bethlehem, stopped to ask a woman for directions. She did not know but she offered them shelter for the night. The next day, they invited her to accompany them to find the baby. She declined saying that she had too much housework to do. Later, she realised that she had made a terrible mistake. She had put her busyness ahead of meeting the Son of God. She searched for the magi but failed to find them. So, to this day, full of regret, she continues to search for the Christ child.
Epiphany, on January 6, is the Christian festival celebrating the visit of the Magi to Jesus. Each year, on the night before Epiphany, Befana supposedly visits every child. She is poor and hagged, covered in soot from entering each house via the chimney. To those children who have been good, she gives candy but those who have been bad receive onions, garlic or a lump of coal.
A very similar Russian story tells of Babushka. You can read it here.
Babushka likewise turned down the magi's invitation to join them because she had housework to do. Regretting it later she tried to catch up with them but she got to Bethlehem too late and, consequently, failed to find Jesus.
She also now brings gifts to children each Christmas, still trying to find the Christ-child.
These may be just stories but they contain a powerful lesson. What is it and how might it apply to you?
A Family Activity
A Family Activity
Discuss the statements above about why Jesus came and choose one that sums it up for you. Turn that statement into a family prayer.
A Prayer
A Prayer
Lord Jesus, there is so much about this Christmas story that is mind-blowing. You came to lay down your life to save us. We thank You that You love the world this much. Help us to love You with everything we are and everything we have.
Amen.
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