This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9 NIV
Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus, but why was Jesus born, and why do we still celebrate his birth 2000 years later?
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. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. John 3:16-18 NIV
God Himself took on flesh and entered humanity to save the world! Could He have come to condemn us? Absolutely! Why? Because none of us live up to the standard God desires, we all sin; and the penalty of sin is death, so we all deserve to die.
Before Jesus came, sin was atoned for by shedding the blood of an animal, usually a lamb or a goat, but those sacrifices did little to change the heart of man, and needed to be made again and again. The blood of an animal couldn’t really repair the relationship between God and man. That system was only in place to help us understand the impact of our sin and separation from God, and to help us realize we need a better sacrifice. Jesus was born to become the ultimate sacrifice, that’s why he is called the lamb of God.
Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant. Hebrews 9:13-15 NLT
So what does that mean to you and I? It means that you can have a right relationship with your Creator without any of the wrong things you’ve done standing in the way! Jesus became the mediator of your relationship with God when He died on the cross. All your mistakes and short comings will be overlooked once you choose to believe that Jesus shed His blood for your sins and you embrace the opportunity He gives you to have a personal relationship with God.
He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins–and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. 1 John 2:2 NIV
Jesus paid the penalty for all of our sins when He died on the cross, but at a very high cost to Him personally! I’m so grateful for His willingness to suffer on my behalf!
Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5 NIV
If you have a desire to be forgiven of your sins and to begin a relationship with God, but still have questions, just shoot me an email gripthesword@gmail.com. I’d be happy to give you the Bible’s answers to all your questions. Celebrate this Christmas by receiving the greatest gift ever offered! Don’t wait another day! I can promise you it’s the most important and best decision you will ever make!