Filled With Gifts
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. 1 John 1:1-4
INSIGHT
I was a 3-year-old when I experienced the big change that occurs from Christmas Eve to Christmas morning. As I went to bed, I took one last look at our mostly empty living room. Lying in bed, my heart raced, and my mind wandered. My overflowing excitement made it almost impossible to sleep. Then, somehow the next morning, when I came down the same steps, the once empty room was now filled with gifts for everyone.
The people who lived during the Old Testament days felt a similar anxiousness towards the promised Messiah. Generations of prophets would speak of the coming Messiah, who would set people free from oppression. Every generation possessed hopeful expectation that they would be the one to see the Messiah. But time would continue, and people’s hope would begin to disappear. Until one fateful day, a child named Jesus was born.
Now, when you hear rumors about someone who is going to free you from oppression, it is easy to paint a picture of muscles, protein shakes, and violent behavior. The people awaiting a Messiah wanted to be set free from the oppression they were under from other nations, and so their expectations were pretty high. Then Jesus stepped onto the scene, and the people were concerned. Jesus was not violent, muscular, nor even mean; He did not live up to the expectations people placed on Him.
You and I have probably felt the same way. A lot of us came to Jesus with expectations of an easier life, better financial situations, or the miraculous healing of a loved one. But life got tougher. We did not become rich, or we lost someone close to us, so we sort of wrestled with a Jesus who was not who we thought He was. We often credit the circumstances of our life as our oppression, but our true oppression is sin. Sin was the dividing force between us and our Father, and nothing in our own power could free us from it. So, Jesus did not live up to our expectations, rather He blew them out of the water. Jesus stepped into this world to free us from the oppression of sin and forever changing the way of life for humanity.
Our way of life is changed forever because even if life gets tough, finances pile up, and we experience loss in this world; we are free from sin and separation. Jesus brought Himself as a gift because in Him we have everything we could ever need. When we get to the feet of Jesus, we find the complete joy that John mentions in our verses today. Fellowship with Jesus invites us to complete joy.
I will never forget a defining moment when I was 16. I had reached a low point as I wrestled with my identity. I was wrapped up in what people thought about me. I needed to do everything in my power to get people to like me and it was leaving me exhausted and unfulfilled. But then I had a re-encounter with Jesus and His love. That day, I had a reconnection with a love unlike any other. And I will never forget lying in bed that night, similar to 3-year-old Davy on Christmas Eve, with my heart racing, mind wandering, and excitement overflowing at being a son of God. In the gift and presence of Jesus, we find complete joy, love, hope, and so much more.
REFLECTION
Spend some time reflecting on the way that Jesus being born changed everything for you. Sit in those thoughts and dwell in His presence.
PRAYER
Father, thank you that every single day I am a child of God. How beautiful is it that unto us a Child was born, and He would be the Savior of the world. Because of Jesus, I can be a child of God as well. Help me to be with You today, and every day. Even when I do not feel it, I know that You have given me complete joy, love, hope, and so much more. I praise You and love You Father. I ask this in Your name, Amen.
Port City writer Davy Nance wrote today’s devotional.
