You Can’t Return this Gift

Grandma gave Little Suzie mittens and a hat for Christmas because she walks to school. Suzie wanted a doll. It wasn’t expensive but her eyes blinked when she moved and she had hair you could comb. Suzie told her mom that she didn’t want Grandma’s gift and asked if she could return the mittens and hat and get the doll instead. Mom answered, “No, Suzie you can’t return this gift”. Suzie was not happy, not grateful, and she was confused. She had seen her mom return gifts before, “What was so special about this gift?” Suzie wondered. Suzie’s mom sat her down and said, "Grandma made these mittens and hat. It didn’t come from a store it came from her heart. Grandma saw a need and she gave accordingly." Suzie understood and apologized for being such a brat.

Many times gifts are given that we need, not what we want. Sometimes we do not even realize that the gift is what we need. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Christ is that gift that many didn’t know they needed and although this gift is often rejected, once truly received it cannot be returned. How awesome is it to know that the often-unappreciated gift of salvation, the gift that stopped blood sacrifices as atonement for sin, the gift that was talked about in Isaiah 9:6, the gift that would be rejected by His own (John 1:11) once truly received cannot be returned.  

The Lord knew that some of us would discard His gift like unwanted mittens. He knew that some of us would try to run from and duck His gift, but He loved us so much He made the gift unreturnable but not  unobtainable. The Lord knew that He was saving a selfish, unappreciative, ignorant group. He knew. Just like the people chose to save Barabbas over Christ, God knew that many would initially choose sin over Christ. But He gave the gift anyway. The indescribable gift of salvation through Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 9:15) is necessary because we are sinners. The gift can’t be returned because of God’s mercy and compassion toward us. That mercy showed itself mightily from the cross when Christ said, “Forgive them Father for, they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). That mercy stood when we initially rejected the gift of salvation, it stands when we sin and grieve the Holy spirit. This gift is the reason we celebrate Christmas and although it can be rejected, once truly received it can’t be returned. This awesome gift is waiting for us to accept it. This gift that was given freely and redeemed when we said yes to Jesus stands for all eternity and is available to all people.

PRAYER: Tetelestai is what Christ said from the cross. Translation – the debt is paid in full. Dear Heavenly Father thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus the Christ who paid for our sin with His blood. Without this gift we all would be doomed, but because of Your endless mercy those who believe can have everlastingly life. Forgive us Father, for running from You, for struggling with doing Your will. Thank You, Father, for loving us despite of our transgressions. Your love, Your mercy, and Your compassion are matchless. You alone are worthy. We praise You and we honor You and we thank You. In the matchless name of Jesus, Amen.
By Sis. Patricia Towns