The Only Gift We Need

By F. D. Adkins

God told Noah there was going to be a flood. God told Noah to build an ark so that he and his family would be saved. He gave Noah specific instructions on how to build this giant boat. When Noah was finished building the ark, God flooded the earth. What if Noah had not listened? What if Noah had not followed God’s specific instructions? God’s Word is Truth, and we can be certain that if the Bible says something is going to happen, it will.

There is no denying the Bible prophecies that have been fulfilled throughout history. For instance, long before that first Christmas when baby Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed in a manger, the Bible tells of His birth. Isaiah told King Ahaz that a virgin would give birth to a son and that he would be called Immanuel.

• “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 KJV

Over seven hundred years later, that is exactly what happened. The book of Matthew details how an angel appears to Joseph telling him that the child Mary is carrying is of the Holy Spirit. The angel instructs Joseph to take Mary as his wife.

• “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:23 KJV

In the Old Testament, Micah even tells us that Christ’s place of birth will be in Bethlehem.

• “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Micah 5:2 KJV

Let’s note here that not only does Micah give us the birthplace of Christ, but he also lets us know in the phrase, “whose goings forth have been from of old, and everlasting,” that this ruler that will be born in Bethlehem is God coming to earth as a man. Jesus has always existed.

Moving ahead about seven hundred years, this prophecy is fulfilled. Jesus is born in Bethlehem. In the following verse, the book of Matthew details the fulfillment of Micah 5:2.

• “And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.” Matthew 2:4-6 KJV.

Now, look at the prophecy in the book of Hosea.

• “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.” Hosea 11:1 KJV

And the fulfillment of that prophecy in the book of Matthew:

• “When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.” Matthew 2:14-15 KJV.

This month we are celebrating Christmas, but as a dear friend said to me the other day, “you can’t tell the Christmas story without telling the Easter story…now can you?” Let’s look at why Jesus was born.

Centuries before our Savior was born, Isaiah describes the suffering Jesus endured for our sins.

• “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:4-5 KJV

Peter uses these same words as he explains how Jesus died in our place and took the punishment for our sins.

• “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 KJV

***

So, Jesus was born so that we would be able to have eternal life. Jesus’ birth and his sacrifice for our sins are predicted in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament. Since we know that everything the Bible says is Truth, we know that Jesus is coming back. We do not know when, but we know He is coming.

• “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” Matthew 25:13 KJV.

One day, Jesus WILL return to take his children home. The Truth is Jesus died in my place. He died in your place. That is how much he loves us. We are all responsible for the spikes driven in his hands and feet. We are all responsible for His horrific suffering. We are all responsible for His death on that cross. None of us deserve His forgiveness. But He offers it to us anyway.

• “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23 KJV

However, like any gift, we have to choose to accept Jesus as our Savior.

• “But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” John 1:12 KJV

By accepting Jesus and the free gift of salvation, we have the promise of eternity with Him in Heaven.

• “…He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Revelation 21:3-4 KJV

By having a personal relationship with Jesus, we are never alone.

• “…Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:9 KJV

In this world, we will still face troubles and hardships, but God will give us peace through the hard times, and He will provide for our needs. One thing stood out to me this morning as I wrote about Noah. A giant boat did not fall from the sky. Noah did not inherit a yacht from his grandmother. God provided Noah with the ability, the knowledge, and the resources to construct the boat that would keep his family safe.

• “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 KJV
• “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 KJV

However, if we do not accept God’s gift of salvation, the Bible tells us that we will pay the price for our sins suffering in the “lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15 KJV). We will be eternally separated from God.

But Jesus has already paid the price for our sin, so why would we not accept His sacrifice? Why would we ever want to turn our back on a Savior that gave His life so we could spend eternity with Him? How could we ever turn our back on that kind of love?

Let us remember the true meaning of Christmas. Let us celebrate the birth of a Savior. Let us praise Him for His gift of salvation to us. For this is the only gift we need.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

John 15:13 KJV