The Magnitude of Christmas

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”
1 Timothy 1:15

These words are perhaps some of the most stunning words that have ever been written.  They comprise a simple sentence, but the concepts are monumental.  And if you pause to grasp the significance of them, you will have a greater appreciation for the magnitude of Christmas.

If you read these words correctly, it will sound like an alien invasion.  Read it again:  “Christ Jesus came into the world.”  Doesn’t it sound like something extraterrestrial?  In a sense, that is what is being communicated.  After all, this verse is talking about the birth of the Son of God!

This is part of what makes Christmas so astounding.  Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ.  But this was no ordinary baby; this was God come in the flesh! As God, Jesus is not originally from this world.  His rightful dwelling place is heaven.  Yet this passage tells us that He left this resplendent home in order to come to earth!

But what would possess him to do that?  You wouldn’t leave the Hilton Suite to vacation in the slums of New York, would you?  Certainly not! 

So why would Jesus deprive himself of these blessed conditions and take up residence in this sorrow filled world? 

The verse says that he came “to save sinners.”  He left the joys and safety of his heavenly abode so that he could bring life and salvation to people like us.

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I recognize that this might catch you off guard, but it has to be said.  You are a sinner.  The truth is we have offended God, and we are guilty of breaking his law.  As such, we deserve to be punished. 

This is the good news though!  Jesus came into the world to take the punishment that is due to us for our sin.  The whole reason he was born was so that He might provide a way to escape the penalty of sin. 

When Jesus came into the world, it was for one purpose.  It was so that he could die.  At the end of his life he was crucified.  And there on that cross Jesus endured the wrath and curse of God as the perfect sacrifice for sin.

Perhaps now you are starting to see the magnitude of Christmas:  God entered history!  He took on human flesh!  He died to save those who had offended him!

More than that, this salvation can be yours!  Christmas can come to be even more monumental because Christ can be your savior.

You must understand that you will never be good enough for God.  Neither can your offenses be overlooked.  The only way to be made right with God is by having your sins forgiven.  The promise of God is this: if you confess your wrongdoing and trust Jesus, you will be saved.  Jesus came into the world for this very thing.