Heaven’s Greatest Gift
With Christmas a few weeks away, we all know the Bible says that it is “more blessed to give than to receive.” However, as we approach Christmas, with all of the giving and the receiving, even the biggest Scrooge among us likes to receive a gift. For many, including myself, one of the best parts is the anticipation and the excitement that comes from unwrapping that gift. We are thinking, “I wonder what it is? Is it what I want? I hope I won’t look disappointed if it isn’t!” Everyone reading this article knows exactly what I am talking about!
Contrary to popular belief, Jesus Christ did not have His beginning in Bethlehem! He was born there as an infant, but He has existed for all eternity. In fact, He is the great “I AM”! His mission was planned before the world was created, but it was carried out on this earth over some 2,000 years ago. God didn’t just give us baby Jesus on that first Christmas; He gave us Love and that Love was in the flesh of His Son, Jesus. This wasn’t man’s plan. It was a plan born in the heart of God, born in His love for you! He is Heaven’s greatest gift to us.
Well, regardless of whether you get a new iPhone, a new set of slippers, or that new car you have been dreaming of, none of that matters! I want you to know the greatest and best gift that has ever been given is the love of Jesus Christ. And, once you open this gift, you will never want to return it because you will never be the same! The Apostle Paul, when gazing at the gift that was given to him, said in 2 Corinthians 9:15 : “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” Paul, one of the best preachers of all time, was never at a loss for words, except when pondering the Love of Jesus. “I can’t describe Him. All I can do is fall on my knees and thank God for His inexpressible gift,” exclaimed Paul.
John the Apostle also writes about the great, unspeakable gift of God, helping us to understand Jesus and His Love a little more clearly. He helps us if you will, to unwrap Heaven’s greatest gift. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Let’s ‘unwrap’ this verse together and contemplate what each phrase tells us about God.
“So loved” states that God’s love for us was very great. God loved the “world.” That is the perimeter of His love; no other perimeter of love is as tremendous. No love has embraced as many as God’s love. If we love a few neighbors, relatives, friends and most of our family, we think we are filled with love. But compared to the perimeter of God’s love, we have not even begun to love.
“Gave” is the proof of God’s love. It is the proof of any love. And what one gives shows the extent of their love. God gave His Only Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Savior. It was the greatest gift ever given, emphasizing the greatness of God’s love. If you say you love God but are stingy with helping others, you do not love God much. Real love will give generously. Matthew 22:37-40 states, “And He said to him, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”
“Gave his only begotten Son.” True love gives the best gifts. Love is discerning and wise. God gave us exactly what we needed on that first Christmas. No other gift was so needed, so profitable, so fitting as the gift He gave us.
“Shall not perish.” Love protects the one that is loved. And the protection God gives is the best protection of all, for it is eternal protection and it is permanent protection.
“Shall have everlasting life.” God’s love provides life and grace. The greatness of His love is seen in the greatness of the life He has provided. This life is not a second-rate life; it is not a life to be taken lightly but is the best life of all. Furthermore, the life He gives is everlasting life. It will never end. All of this proves that God’s love is great indeed! It’s the greatest gift ever given!
As I think about unwrapping Heaven’s great gift, I get excited to think about all Jesus is and all He has done for us. I just want to shout and bless His Name for using a worthless man like me! But I wonder about you, the reader, asking you this question, ‘Are you saved’? God has given His gift to the world. Have you received His gift for yourself? If not, there would be no better time to do that than right now.
Some of us have received the gift, but we don’t really seem very thankful for it. Don’t you hate giving someone something and they respond with ingratitude? I wonder how God must feel when He sees how we treat His gracious, priceless and perfect gift. Maybe we need to come and thank Him for His great “unspeakable gift.’ Maybe we need to come before Him and get back to the place in our lives where His gift meant something to us. Only you and the Lord know your heart today. Do what He is telling you right now. Open Heaven’s Greatest Gift and watch what God does for you!
