As we approach this year’s Channukah and Christmas season, God’s gift of light to the world swings more clearly into focus on crisp, clear frosty nights. There is more need for light to overcome darkness. In Channukah, we see a foreshadowing of the gift of light…a miraculous supply of oil for the Jewish temple lamps…but this points to the middle lamp, the servant lamp from which all the others are lit.
Jesus, light of the world, was first sent as a suffering servant — the middle lamp — to fulfill the Old Testament prophecies in Isaiah 53 and many other places, in addition to all the prophecies spoken about himself by Jesus which are fulfilled in his death and resurrection three days later.
Messsiah…Savior…Jesus…forgiver of sinful man…this is the present.
Open it. Unwrap it. Marvel in its perfection. BUT — what if the greatest gift ever known to man, far surpassing wealth, power and is rejected — unwrapped — overlooked — scorned — marked “return to sender?” Without believing in the gift, having faith that the gift is indeed God’s son sent to redeem man from arrogance, pride and sin, then the gift is rejected. You remain unredeemed, unsaved…greatly loved and pursued by God, but unrepentant.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that is not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8) – Contemp. Engl Vers.
“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:7) – King James version
Call upon the Lord today. Angels will rejoice at your salvation. You and I will hug and meet someday in heaven though you are far away across the world in the natural.
pomegranatesandchains 