The gift of God

Romans 6:23 NKJV

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Scottish preacher James S. Stewart said, “God could not get to us until God got with us.

Over the next several days kids all around our community and the world will be opening gifts. Although the process has become nauseatingly commercial, the idea gets its roots from the Bible.

Thus, we see that Christmas is less about where, when and how and more about who and why.

I. Why

Here in Romans we see that the first Christmas was a gift from God, to the world. Jesus is not only the focus of Christmas, He is also the gift of Christmas.

Hebrews 9:22 NKJV

And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

Exodus 12:1–5 NKJV

Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, “This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you. Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: ‘On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household. And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of the persons; according to each man’s need you shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats.

Exodus 12:13 NKJV

Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

Here we see that a lamb must be sacrificed for salvation.

John 1:29 NKJV

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

John 1:36 NKJV

And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”

II. Who

Jesus is the lamb of God. By this it means that as every member of the household of Israel had to provide a lamb for their household. God provided a lamb for the world. Thus, Jesus is sacrificial lamb provided by God.

In the OT there was a never ending need for sacrificial lambs. One was offered every morning and evening. They also offered lambs at special feast, Sabbath's, and festivals. Furthermore, there were lambs sacrificed for consecration and sin. in Kings we see that there were 120,000 lambs sacrificed for the dedication and celebration of Solomon’s temple. 1 Kings 8:63-64

1 Kings 8:63–64 NKJV

And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered to the Lord, twenty-two thousand bulls and one hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the Lord. On the same day the king consecrated the middle of the court that was in front of the house of the Lord; for there he offered burnt offerings, grain offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the bronze altar that was before the Lord was too small to receive the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings.

1 Peter 1:18–19 NKJV

knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

Scarlet threads of prophesy weave throughout scripture to reveal a glorious picture of redemption.  One such prophetic symbol is the sacrificial lamb.

Jesus, acting as the sacrificial lamb offered himself that we may live.

Therefore, we see that the answer of Christmas is that Jesus is the lamb of God that was given for you and me.

Yes, Christmas is a season of the gifts of hope, love, and joy. However, the greatest gift was given 2,000 years ago and is still freely offered to all who will receive it. Must everyone here has seen or experienced the joy of a child on Christmas morning when they recognize that their is a gift for them. her excitement, anticipation, and splendour is wonderful for the child, but more so for the giver.

Acts 20:35 NKJV

I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Thus, Jesus in accordance to HIs own word willing gave himself for us. What greater joy can there be fore the Father than for a sinner to wondrously come to the foot of the cross and receive the greatest gift .