…even as, in His love, He chose us as His own in Christ before the creation of the world, that we might be holy and without blemish in His presence. Ephesians 1:4
Fun mystery is drawing a name out of a bag, by each person participating in a gift exchange, and then reveal all at Christmas.
Especially fun is when the person who gets your name knows you well enough and is willing to find a present that would make your day – someone who gets into the spirit of it so much they put significant thought into the perfect gift for you.
Those who have participated in a name drawing game might recall how much fun it was to wonder who got their name, hoping a certain person did because one or more in the group are known to put extra care into thoughtful gifts.
With Jesus, there is no wondering. Long before any of us existed, God made a plan to redeem each of us. He saw our choices before any were made, our sin, and set out to make a way to restore us to himself through a sacrificial gift above all gifts.
There would be no drawing of the name of God’s son, Jesus, by any of us. He, instead, would draw each of our names – your name, my name. The gift would be the same for everyone –
his own life on a cross
a gift of immeasurable value
a gift that breaks a price limit
a gift not part of a game, but of perfect thought and consideration with cost counted
a purchase made in full knowledge it could be rejected, but would be offered with no holding back, with a love and desire to give it completely, no regrets.
If we ever question how God could pick each of us the same, choosing each of our lives as if we were the only one to bring a gift for, we have no further to go than here:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Whoever is you and me. Whoever is anyone who wants the best thing in life, a real life, the thing each soul wants every moment, every day: freedom from the grip of sin, and the peace that God’s forgiveness offers the human heart.
No one better could have chosen us. And we get the best of the best in making our own decision to accept God’s gift of salvation through his son, Jesus. It is all you and I could ever want. The sweetest thing is…Jesus drew your name.
