John 3:16
“16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 20:11-17
“11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulcher…she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.”
What a beautiful passage of scripture. The Savior had suffered Gethsemane, Golgotha, and now the garden tomb. He had atoned for the sins of all mankind, had been crucified on the cross, and laid to rest seemingly for the last time. And then, just as He had repeatedly foretold them, He was resurrected. It begs the question, why—why did He do these things, these difficult, painful, incredible things?
Because He loves us.
And He doesn’t force that love on us, it is freely given. As I read scripture, I see how often it says “might” or “may”—that we might come to Him, that we may have more happiness. He has done every possible thing to make sure we could be our most happy, joyful, and fulfilled. And now, it’s our turn. We need to choose, to do life differently, to believe more fully, to understand more deeply His beautiful, functional, and life-giving gospel. To come to know and love and follow Him more fully. To feel more peace, hope, and surety in this unsure world. And it’s all there, just for us, if we’re willing to receive it, because He loved us enough to make it possible.
I hope on this most holy and tender evening, that you will gather your family and express gratitude and love for the Savior of the World, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. To the Son of God, born in the humblest of circumstances to ultimately, and lovingly, rule and reign over all.
Merry Christmas,
Connie
