WantsNeeds

Well, here we are again. We survived the ‘Christmas Holidays’. That season we call the most wonderful time of the year.

For many, this is a true statement. You prepared for weeks, hoping not to overlook any details. All the cards were mailed, all the gifts purchased and given, many miles racked up traveling here and there to be with family/friends, trees decorated, the house was aglow with new LED’s blinking to the music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Let’s face it, we love a party, a celebration, festivals, galas, bashes, anything that will give us an opportunity to feel good about ourselves.

It doesn’t matter how you cut it, it’s all about us. Think about it, we are by nature, selfish people. Our lives are a continuous circle of wants and desires that start at birth. Babies want to be fed, held, cleaned, and coddled. This world through various traditions and the bombardment media spark a hunger in us that begs for more comfort, more pleasure, . We want the next best gadget, the latest sports shoe, the bigger house, the newest model car, to be recognized for our great accomplishments.

For others, it’s not the most wonderful time of the year. Because we are so focused on the things of this world, (1 Tim. 6: 17-19) we fail to see that for so many people it’s not the greatest time of the year. The things that many enjoy this time of year are sorely lacking in others’ lives, and that void brings sorrow and heartache. Far so many of us, our focus is on the things of this world which are temporary, instead of things eternal. One day, no matter how firm our grasp, we will have to let all the stuff go. If all our treasure is stored on earth and no provision has been made for eternity, what a rude awakening that will be. Do you know where you will spend eternity? (1 Jn.2: 15-17)

So what’s the point? The point is, we have forgotten the reason for the season. We love the season but we make it all about us and what we want, what we need, and how we can get more.

Instead, we should celebrate the Christ of Christmas because Jesus is the reason for the season. The question is why have we sidelined Him? I suspect the reason is that many don’t know Him. Let’s take a look at who He is and why He matters.

First, it’s important to know that Jesus is God. The Bible tells us that God is invisible and no one saw Him until Jesus was born. In Him (Jesus) dwells the fullness of God in human form and people got to see him, talk with him, listen to Him, and pray with him. (Col. 1: 1-23)

Jesus is the second person of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and when He came to earth, He gave us a beautiful picture of the image of God and the heart of God

It’s important to note that everything that was created was created for and by Jesus. (John 1: 1-5) All of creation is amazing and it all starts with Jesus the Creator. Being the creator, He exists outside of time. Abraham lived a couple thousand years before Jesus and yet Jesus says, “before Abraham was I am.”

He is the beginning, he’s the end, and he holds everything together (Col. 1:17) One of the reasons Jesus came was to reconcile us to God. He did this by taking our sin upon Himself, dying on a cross, and rising from the dead three days later, he defeated death. All this was for our benefit.

God has placed eternity in our hearts and made man for His eternal purpose, and nothing in post-fall time will ever bring complete satisfaction. (Eccl. 3:11) When we finally agree with God that we are sinners (Rom. 3:23), and our hearts are wicked from our youth (Gen. 8:21) and understand that even in our sin state, God loved us enough to send His Son to take our sin on Himself and die in our place. (Rom. 5:8) When we finally understand, we will confess our sins, repent, and believe His promises, (Rom. 10: 8-11) God says because of His Son’s love and sacrifice we will spend eternity with Him.

We may want a great many things but what we need is a relationship with the creator. Scripture says, ‘Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and everything else will fall in place. (Mt. 6: 25-34)

Remember, the Son of Man (Jesus) has come to seek and save that which was lost. (Lk. 19:10)

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures. (1 Cor. 15:3-4)