There is something universally believed which is a big lie: there is something on this planet which will provide enduring happiness. The world and our flesh constantly reinforce the fantasy if our circumstances were different (and better!) we could be satisfied and at rest. What people forget or are ignorant of is we live on an earth cursed with the consequences of sin. The only true good news we could receive must come from beyond this world.
We are thirsty for good news and look everywhere to find it. Like a person in pitch darkness trying to see beyond their nose, we strain to hear good news. But the thing is, even when we do find welcome news it never lasts because nothing on earth does: new things grow old, innovations become obsolete, every marriage will someday end, and good health always ends in death. Seriously, think about it. "All is vanity and grasping for the wind," said King Solomon after doing everything the richest man on the planet could do. Solomon had fame, power, riches, and women. He threw himself into building projects, religion, revelry, music, the arts, sex, alcohol, exotic collections, and possessions. He sat on his ivory throne covered in gold and thought to himself, "Someday I'm not going to be here to enjoy the wealth and prosperity of this kingdom. It's going to pass to others who won't appreciate it or even know my name." And he was right.
Our hopes as human beings are firmly set in believing our circumstances are bound to change for the better: if we work hard, when we acquire or make our first million, buy a house, have a romantic relationship, have a family and children we will have this feeling of inner peace and satisfaction. We will have "made it," whatever that means. But unlike dark clouds that have a silver edge, a positive to draw out of even the worst situation, in everything we long to obtain there are sinister, unseen, and painful heartaches we never counted on. We like the idea of being famous and acknowledged for excellence, but few consider what it is like to not be able to go to the shops without being mugged for pictures or autographs. People dream of winning the lottery but don't figure on people they love scheming to rob them of it. And we are rarely satisfied: like tattoos, plastic surgery begets more. No one imagines they will experience complications or death for a common procedure or dentist visit, but it happens.
Into a world of dark hopelessness God in His mercy and grace sent the Light of the World. We would have been temporarily happy with far less than this truly good news. We would be ecstatic to hear a civil war ceased (that can start again) or a marriage has been restored (which will certainly one day end) or a health scare has been averted (which for us mortals is at best temporary). God entered a world bound by time as a human being in the person of Jesus Christ to provide eternal life and hope for all who repent and trust in Him. We can be adopted into the forever family of God when we respond to His call by being born again. The hope Jesus brings is not like a carrot dangling in front of us--always out of reach that we cannot receive until our pilgrimage on earth is over--but is ours today and always! Because of our weak frame and forgetfulness our affections and desires can drift from Jesus Christ, and then we begin to drown in a morass of cares, worries, and dissatisfaction.
About 2,000 years ago, the Messiah Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, wrapped in linen strips, and laid in a feeding trough for animals. Into a hopeless and cursed world a Saviour was sent to seek and save the lost. Birthday and Christmas gifts we receive will lose their shine and break, but the love of God demonstrated through Christ's life and sacrificial death for us continues regardless of our possessions or circumstances. We will experience tough times and fiery trials, but our risen and living LORD Jesus Christ is with us every step as we follow Him forever. Better than eternal life itself, Jesus truly is the best gift ever given.
We are thirsty for good news and look everywhere to find it. Like a person in pitch darkness trying to see beyond their nose, we strain to hear good news. But the thing is, even when we do find welcome news it never lasts because nothing on earth does: new things grow old, innovations become obsolete, every marriage will someday end, and good health always ends in death. Seriously, think about it. "All is vanity and grasping for the wind," said King Solomon after doing everything the richest man on the planet could do. Solomon had fame, power, riches, and women. He threw himself into building projects, religion, revelry, music, the arts, sex, alcohol, exotic collections, and possessions. He sat on his ivory throne covered in gold and thought to himself, "Someday I'm not going to be here to enjoy the wealth and prosperity of this kingdom. It's going to pass to others who won't appreciate it or even know my name." And he was right.
Our hopes as human beings are firmly set in believing our circumstances are bound to change for the better: if we work hard, when we acquire or make our first million, buy a house, have a romantic relationship, have a family and children we will have this feeling of inner peace and satisfaction. We will have "made it," whatever that means. But unlike dark clouds that have a silver edge, a positive to draw out of even the worst situation, in everything we long to obtain there are sinister, unseen, and painful heartaches we never counted on. We like the idea of being famous and acknowledged for excellence, but few consider what it is like to not be able to go to the shops without being mugged for pictures or autographs. People dream of winning the lottery but don't figure on people they love scheming to rob them of it. And we are rarely satisfied: like tattoos, plastic surgery begets more. No one imagines they will experience complications or death for a common procedure or dentist visit, but it happens.
Into a world of dark hopelessness God in His mercy and grace sent the Light of the World. We would have been temporarily happy with far less than this truly good news. We would be ecstatic to hear a civil war ceased (that can start again) or a marriage has been restored (which will certainly one day end) or a health scare has been averted (which for us mortals is at best temporary). God entered a world bound by time as a human being in the person of Jesus Christ to provide eternal life and hope for all who repent and trust in Him. We can be adopted into the forever family of God when we respond to His call by being born again. The hope Jesus brings is not like a carrot dangling in front of us--always out of reach that we cannot receive until our pilgrimage on earth is over--but is ours today and always! Because of our weak frame and forgetfulness our affections and desires can drift from Jesus Christ, and then we begin to drown in a morass of cares, worries, and dissatisfaction.
About 2,000 years ago, the Messiah Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, wrapped in linen strips, and laid in a feeding trough for animals. Into a hopeless and cursed world a Saviour was sent to seek and save the lost. Birthday and Christmas gifts we receive will lose their shine and break, but the love of God demonstrated through Christ's life and sacrificial death for us continues regardless of our possessions or circumstances. We will experience tough times and fiery trials, but our risen and living LORD Jesus Christ is with us every step as we follow Him forever. Better than eternal life itself, Jesus truly is the best gift ever given.
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