God Sent Us a Savior

Matthew 1:21  She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name  Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.

When helping my grandchildren write out their Christmas lists a few weeks ago, it was apparent that their WANTS were more important to them than their actual NEEDS. Since they are all under six-years old, a focus on their wants is not unusual. Also, at such a young age, they truly do not know what they need. They rely on their parents and other caretakers to provide for their needs.

In fact, when my children were younger, I could generally tell what they needed before they even asked me. I could not read their minds ... I just knew due to the amount of time I spent with them. In addition, as a loving mother, I also knew what they NEEDED because I had their best interests at heart. My desire was to provide what was necessary for them to have the best life possible!

In the same way, our Heavenly Father knows what we need. His understanding of our greatest need is evident in the promise of today's scripture ... the provision of a Savior named Jesus Who was sent to save us from our sins. I once read a few lines of a Christmas devotion that clearly captures God's rationale for sending Jesus to us:

If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Savior!

This wonderful gift of salvation through Jesus' birth is one that is available to anyone who desires it. Sadly, many individuals either have not yet been informed of the availability of His saving grace or have discovered it but failed to accept it. My challenge to you today is to share the Good News of His wonderful gift with all you encounter. Make it real to them through the awesome power of your testimony ... of how Jesus has changed your life ... of how He could change their lives!

Dear Lord, Thank You for knowing exactly what I needed ... for sending Your Son to save me from my sin. Help me to lead others to the realization of what life could be like through having a relationship with You. Guide my words, my actions ... let me be a living billboard of All You have to offer to those who accept Your gift of salvation. 

I also thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.