As Christmas nears, I thought it would be appropriate to read through the gospels, so today I read the first 3 chapters of Matthew. In the first chapter, we're re-introduced to individuals who I've looked at over the last month and a half or so: Abraham (Nov. 6-8), Isaac (Nov. 9-10), Jacob (Nov. 12), Judah and his brothers (Nov. 14-16), Boaz & Ruth (Nov. 30), and Solomon (Nov. 19) are just some of the names on the list, a historical backdrop for the birth of Jesus. I also want to go back some time soon and take a closer look at David, a man after God's own heart.
The rest of the first 2 chapters show Jesus' birth fulfilling several prophecies... but why should that be surprising? God said He would do something, and then He did it. That's how it works. Nothing can stop God from accomplishing His plan, you can't surprise Him with an obstacle He can't overcome, because He is all-powerful and all-knowing. However commonplace the miraculous may be to God, though, it's still amazing to us, and that is as it should be. Surprise shows doubt of God's ability, amazement recognizes His ability in comparison to our lack of ability, and shows a respect and awe that He is very worthy of. I never want to lose the wonder at the thought of Jesus' supernatural birth, life, death and resurrection, doing what only He could do, because He was the only one with the ability, and the authority, to bring each of us to redemption.
I think it's an interesting choice of words we use when we say we're 'redeeming' a gift card, because it's not until we 'redeem' it that the value which has been placed in it becomes apparent. Similarly, our redemption by Jesus has made incredibly apparent the value which has always been placed in us by God. May every gift card we give and receive over the Christmas season remind us of the incredible value that we have to God, and what He has done to show us that fact.
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