HisGrace.

Monday, December 17, 2007

More than gift wrap

John 12:27-28 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”

Every year at Christmas, James Baxter watches people rip apart his company's product and throw it away. All the hours of creative design and careful manufacturing are gone in a flash. And he has no regrets. As a president of the nation's largest maker of Christmas giftwrap, Mr Baxter says, 'What we don't want is our product sitting in somebody's closet.'

A product like wrapping papers leads an interesting perspective on the real meaning of Christmas. When God sent His only Son into this world, His purpose was not to give us a pretty package to gaze upon. Jesus willingly left His glory in heaven and came to earth, clothed with our humanity, knowing that His purpose was to die for our sins. When talking about His approaching death on the cross, Jesus said, 'Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came on this hour'.

Sacrifice, not self-preservation, was our Jesus' goal. And He accomplished it to the glory of God.

This season, ponder the lesson of the wrapping paper. As you think of how it is torn to reveal a gift, let it remind you of the Saviour's sacrifice on the cross so that you can receive eternal life, the priceless gift of God.

- David McCasland

Hark! The herald angels sing'
'Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild -
God and sinners reconciled!'

Jesus was born that we might be born again.

John 12:23-28

23 But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.

24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.

25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.

27 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.

28 Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”

10:36 AM