Let Jesus In!
Imagine, for a moment, that your friends decided to throw you a big birthday party. You knew who would be coming to your party and where it would be. But when you arrive, you find the music so loud and your friends having such a good time that they can’t hear you knock or see you outside. As you press your face up against the glass, you see pictures of yourself on the tables. You overhear people telling stories about you. Everyone is having a great time while you’re standing outside, pounding on the door. But, astonishingly, you can’t get into your own birthday party!
We are sometimes unaware that we have ignored the honored guest. This story is an analogy of Christmas today: Jesus is outside, trying to get in.
We set up our nativity sets, sing a few Christmas carols, do a little shopping and decorate the tree. We get involved in all kinds of activities and in the busyness of the celebration. Jesus is altogether forgotten. Yet His birth is so historically important that we divide human history by it: B.C. and A.D. His birth changed the world. Not only did His birth change the world; so did His death. God the Father sent Jesus his Son as the ultimate gift for us. How was Jesus wrapped?
Luke 2:12-14 12 “And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (NKJ)
He was wrapped humbly in swaddling cloths. But the question is, why did God the Father send Jesus?
John 3:16-17 16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” (NLT)
That little baby grew into a man who went to a cross. Spikes were driven through His hands and feet. He shed His blood for the sin of all humanity. Then three days later, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, rose again from the dead. He is alive, and He is here, wanting to come into our lives. But we can miss Him. Today, Jesus is standing at the door of your heart and He is knocking.
Revelation 3:20 “Look! I have been standing at the door, and I am constantly knocking. If anyone hears me calling him and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him and he with me.” (TLB)
Jesus is knocking. Will you let Him in? He offers you the gift of eternal life, but you must reach out, take that gift, say “thank you,” and enjoy it. Please don’t miss Jesus this year. Make time for Him. Open the door and let Him in.