Why Did Jesus Come?

Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year.  I like everything about it…the songs, giving, family get-togethers, yummy food, lights, colorful decorations, special programs, and that Jesus is at the center of it all.

But this year is different.  I am separated from my best friend who has celebrated every Christmas with me for more than half of my life. My husband, David, will be present at Jesus’ birthday party in heaven this year. I’m jealous. I’m sure it will be a grand celebration.

Abigail and her “dear”

A few months ago I wished I could just hit a fast forward button and skip this Christmas. The separation is particularly difficult at this time. It seems too painful to try to get through it. But once again I realized this is not about me or how I’m feeling. Christmas is about celebrating Jesus’ birth on earth.

I would do almost anything to end this painful separation from David. Yet, God the Father and Jesus chose to be separated from each other because of their great love for mankind…for YOU and for ME! They had always been together.  They had never been apart.  Yet they volunteered….they signed up!…they made a deliberate choice to be separated for a time so sinless Jesus could pay for the sins of the whole world so we could be together forever.  That level of love blows my mind.

 I didn’t want to celebrate Christmas because I thought it would be too sad while that is the whole reason why there even is a Christmas! Jesus said, “…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”  (John 10:10)

In Luke 2:79 Zechariah said the Messiah (Jesus) has come “to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Isaiah 61:1-3 lists several more reasons why Jesus came…

• to preach good tiding to the meek (poor)
• to bind up (heal) the brokenhearted
• to proclaim liberty to the captives
•  to open the prison to them that are bound
• to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord
• to proclaim the day of vengeance of God
• to comfort all that mourn
• to console them that mourn in Zion
• to give those who mourn beauty for ashes
• to give the oil of joy for mourning
• to give the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness

Did you notice how Jesus came to give relief from emotional suffering? God’s Word gives such comfort and hope!

Verse 3 explains the result,

“….that they might be called the trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified.” Those who mourn and are comforted by God have the opportunity to glorify God!

Do you know this Jesus? If you do not, you can.  Jesus came to help us, but we must yield to Him as Master and Lord of our life. Ask Him to forgive you for your wrong doing, stubbornness, and pride. Ask Him to come to dwell inside your heart so you can have a peace that passes all understanding and be able to go live with Him when your days here are no more.

 

Without Jesus there are no Merry Christmases.  But with Jesus we have life, hope, peace, joy and love for all eternity.  May your days be merry and bright!

Keep looking up!

Gaye Hughes