Have You Received God’s Gift of Love?

“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.” – John 3:16

When you think of Jesus do you see a man? A baby? A brutalized body hanging on the cross? Imagine Jesus as God. He was there in the beginning, when the darkness was separated from the light, when the earth was formed, and when man was made. He has been there all along and will be forever. But, for a brief time, Jesus came to be a man. Will we ever be able to fully understand what that cost him? How much He sacrificed and how much He gave?

Judi Williams, a gifted writer and dear friend, wrote the following poem that beautifully expresses why He came.

Jesus, The Man

When Jesus came to be a man,
He satisfied God’s greatest plan.
This is the story of His birth,
And how He brings His peace to earth.

The angel came, there was a voice,
“Come all nations and rejoice.
It is the birth of God’s true Son,
Come and worship, everyone!”

His name is Jesus, Prince of Peace,
And from your sins He will release.
He’ll give you everlasting life,
And free you from all sin and strife.

Oh, Jesus, Jesus, He’s the One,
The Father’s only begotten Son,
The Prince of Peace, Emmanuel,
This is the Story the angels tell,

He came to you, a gift of love,
From your Heavenly Father above.
To reconcile man and God,
So heavy paths we’ll no more trod.

The love of God shines all around,
And in Christmas does abound.
All because of God’s great plan,
When Jesus came to be a man.

Praise God! Whether it’s Christmas time or any time, the gift is ours to receive. When Jesus came to be a man, He, the Maker of the Universe, paid the price so we can be in relationship with Him forever. That makes me feel very loved. What about you?

The Power of Truth:

“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

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” Eph. 2:4-7

Suggestion for Prayer:

Think about the price Jesus paid for you and thank Him. Take some time to consider the great and wonderful love that would take…and receive it.