“…when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.” (Galatians 4:4-5)
I can’t remember when I had to go back to a store after Christmas to return a present. Either I am just very easy to please or too lazy to want to go and stand in any long line for a refund.
You don’t even have to have the receipt these days to make an exchange. Many places allow a cash return on the item even without proof that it was a gift to you. A number of stores will only allow you to get something from their store of equal value if you don’t have a receipt. No matter, an exchange is what is transacted the days after Christmas.
The management is ready for the returnees. Already – Christmas night – the stores have corded off lines in the front of the store in order to maintain an orderly fashion for the many people who will be returning merchandise.
St. Paul writes in his letter to the Galatians (see above) that through Jesus there is offered a redemption on our behalf. Jesus Christ, born of woman and living like everyone else, was sent by God to save His children from their sins. It’s a life we don’t like – don’t want to have – in a way it’s a life that doesn’t fit and isn’t what we once thought it might be. Jesus – the One who is made as our exchange – steps up and accepts our offer for redemption and handles it personally from the cross. We need no proof of our distain or our search for redemption; a desirous and contrite heart handles the bill. God saves. We are set free from our sin, thanks to our Lord Jesus!
As you stand in line these next few days waiting your turn to talk with someone about a product you really do not want, remember how Jesus stood in line for you – the line of suffering and death, He did it all so that we wouldn’t have to experience it ourselves. Our Lord Christ is ready and willing to step up for us; He provides everything needful (His body and blood) to set us free, so that an eternity with Him and our loved ones is a given in this process.
May I offer our thanks again – from both the Nippers and the Myers’ families – for all your kind wishes, gifts, prayers, and cards this Advent and Christmas season. We love you for all that you do in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and we look forward to an even greater year in 2015. God’s peace is with you all!
Remember that God loves you and so do we!
Pastor Jim