On Wednesday we will celebrate the greatest gift ever given. On Christmas we commemorate the birth of Jesus who was God’s gift of salvation to the world.
A gift is free to the recipient. The person receiving the gift must merely accept it. The giver is the one who pays the price for the gift as well as any employed in creating or presenting the gift. For example, a couple of years ago I gave my wife a custom-made harp. For her it was a free gift. I had to pay for it which cost me many hours of labor. The Amish harp maker I hired worked many hours to craft it.
That is not to say that only my wife benefited. I had the joy of giving her the harp and then received the pleasure of listening to her play it. The craftsman was paid for his service. We both received our reward but it was my wife who got the free gift.
When God gave the gift of salvation to the world, we benefited while God and His agents paid the price. God the Father sent His Son to suffer to pay for our sins and make salvation possible. I admit to taking a small “leap” here but I do believe it was painful for the Father to watch Jesus suffer. It was a price He was willing to pay.
Jesus, the Son, also paid a great price. Most think of the cross when they think of Jesus paying the price but I believe there was much more to it. The Bible says that Jesus was “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). He was God incarnate. He was perfect and holy yet He lived as a man in a world full of sin and depravity. Every day He saw evil of all sorts and it must have broken His heart continually. Think of your greatest heartache and the imagine living with that every day of your life.
Then there was Mary, the young woman chosen by God to bring Jesus into this world. She was a virgin who lived a virtuous life. Then she was pregnant out of wedlock. A scandalous and shameful situation in her time yet she was not guilty of the act people surely accused her of. Her reputation was ruined. To a teenage village girl, that must have been devastating.
Joseph was ready to break off his engagement with her until an angel came in a dream and explained the circumstances (Matthew 1:18-25). Not only was his reputation damaged as well, but there was probably a little voice inside his head always wondering if that fantastic dream was really true.
God the Father, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph all paid a price for God’s gift of salvation to become a reality. Of course they all received something as well. From the beginning chapters of Genesis, the Father wants a relationship with humans. It was the purpose of our creation. Jesus’ death and resurrection opened the door for God to live intimately with His people again. Jesus received glory and honor as well as a seat at the right hand of the Father. Mary and Joseph were also recipients of the salvation and I am confident they earned many eternal rewards for their actions.
God continues to give good gifts to His children. Sometimes He works supernaturally. Often He works through His people. Like Mary and Joseph, God allows us to participate in the gift. That participation usually has a cost for us. Sometimes it is just giving our time. Other time it might be a financial sacrifice. Occasionally our part of the gift will be uncomfortable or even painful for a time. Eventually though, God will “pay us for our service.” Whatever payment He makes will be more than worth the cost we paid.
We may not always see the gift God is giving through us. But if God is calling us to go through a difficult time then we can be sure that someone, perhaps multiple people, will benefit from our obedience. Our eventual reward will more than make up for our momentary trial or affliction.
Almighty God, You are an awesome Father who gives amazing gifts to Your children. I thank You for the incredible blessings You have brought into my life. When it is time for me to participate in a gift You are giving others, grant me the wisdom to understand my role and the peace to fulfill my part.