Note from Jesus
Dear Beloved,
The Father loves you so much that He sent Me to your world to show you His love. The goal of God’s love is your salvation — salvation FROM sin and death, as well as salvation FOR a life of blessing, purpose, and meaning.
I know it’s hard to believe that a little child in a manger could be the Savior of the world. But that is Who I AM. I was born into a Jewish family, with Jewish ancestry, and in fulfillment of Jewish hopes and dreams. I came to bring God’s blessings to God’s chosen people, the Jews. But, I also came for you, whether you are Jewish or not. God’s love is for all the people of the world, no matter their race, culture, language, or ethnicity. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, this was said about Me right before My birth:
He is the light Who reveals Your [God’s] message to the other nations, and He is the shining glory of Your covenant people, Israel.
(Luke 2:32)
So when you think of Me in the manger and celebrate my coming, remember that I AM not only the Savior of the world but I also came to be your personal Savior, too!
Verses to Live
The Father didn’t just say He loves you; He showed it, by sending Me to be your Savior!
For God expressed His love for the world in this way: He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not face everlasting destruction, but will have everlasting life. Here’s the point. God didn’t send His Son into the world to judge it; instead, He is here to rescue a world headed toward certain destruction.
(John 3:16-17)
I am your Savior, the sinless sacrifice Who is your Defender and Advocate in heaven. But remember, as important as you are to Me, I made this sacrifice for others also, even those who don’t know me. So please let them in on My story of grace!
You are my little children, so I am writing these things to help you avoid sin. If, however, any believer does sin, we have a high-powered defense lawyer — Jesus the Anointed, the righteous — arguing on our behalf before the Father. It was through His sacrificial death that our sins were atoned. But He did not stop there — He died for the sins of the whole world.
(1 John 2:1-2)
My love is not complete until it comes alive in you and is shared with others.
We have experienced and we have entrusted our lives to the love of God in us.
God is love. Anyone who lives faithfully in love also lives faithfully in God, and God lives in him.
(1 John 4:16)
When others hear you tell My story and are invited to get to know Me, they can discover that I AM their Savior, too!
Meanwhile, because one woman shared with her neighbors how Jesus exposed her past and present, the village of Sychar was transformed — many Samaritans heard and believed. The Samaritans approached Jesus and repeatedly invited Him to stay with them, so He lingered there for two days on their account. With the words that came from His mouth, there were many more believing Samaritans. They began their faith journey because of the testimony of the woman beside the well; but when they heard for themselves, they were convinced the One they were hearing was and is God’s Anointed, the Liberating King, sent to rescue the entire world.
(John 4:39-42)
Response in Prayer
Lord God, Your greatness and majesty are beyond my comprehension. Having held a small child, having felt that child’s fingers curl around my own, and having that child snuggle close to me make Your coming to us in baby Jesus real… personal… accessible. Thank You for loving us — loving me — so much that You came so near that we could touch You, hold You, and know You as our Savior as well as the Savior of the world. In Jesus’ name, I thank you! Amen.
‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware.
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All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.