DEVOTION – DAY 304

John 3:16 “Jesus Is God’s Gift To The World”

 

John 3:16-17 “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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”

 

These are probably the most famous verses in the Bible and many Christians are able to recite it from memory. This is because the verses remind us all that God gave us the most precious gift – His Son, Jesus Christ. God sent His Son from heaven to earth to live as man. At the appointed time, Jesus came to die on the cross to atone for the sins of mankind. Those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will never perish ie. face God’s judgment and wrath for their sins. Instead, their sins are forgiven and they receive the gift of eternal life. God sent Jesus to save people from their sins, and not to condemn the world.

 

It is appropriate for us to be reminded of God’s great gift because the day after Christmas Day is traditionally called Boxing Day in many countries. Dec 26th is called Boxing Day because traditionally, Christians used to prepare gifts and give these gifts to people who had served them well throughout the year but they never had an opportunity to thank them. So, at least one day a year, they remember them and give them gifts. Also, in the past, Christians would also prepare gifts and drop them into boxes placed in churches over the Christmas holidays and these boxes in churches would be opened on Boxing day. The gifts and money found in the boxes would be given to the poor and needy in the community. That was how the day after Christmas Day came to be called Boxing Day. It is a day of gift giving. It also serves as a reminder of God’s great gift to mankind – His one and only Son, Jesus Christ.

 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we thank you for giving us the best gift ever – your one and only son, the Lord Jesus. Thank you for sending Him to die on the cross for our sins. Thank you for your grace and mercy upon us. Please help us to be humble, grateful and purposeful in how we now live so that we never take our Lord Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins for granted. Please help us to share the gospel passionately so that unbelievers will not be condemned but be saved. We pray this in the Holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. What gifts do you prepare and give to others during the Christmas holidays?
  2. Why do you give out these gifts?
  3. What is the best gift that God gave to you?
  4. How can you thank God for His grace and His mercy to you?