I said in my previous blog that for Jesus to be born, God has to find a woman who is willing to give up what she wants and do what God wants. This brings us to Part 2 of the Christmas story.
(I) What did Mary give up?
Part 2 of the Christmas story takes place in Israel; in a little town called Nazareth. Please read Part 2 of the Christmas story from Luke 1: 26-38. In Part 2 of the Christmas story, God found in Mary a suitable person whom He can use because she was willing to say the three words, “ I give up” :-
(a) She gave up trying to understand how God is going to work but she trusted that God can do what He said He would do – “For nothing is impossible with God” (v37)
(b) She gave up the right to control her life and said she would serve the Lord – “ I am the Lord’s servant” (v 36) – she was not afraid of what people would think or say about her being an unwed mother; of what people would do to her like stoning her to death, or the likelihood of being divorced by Joseph, her husband-to -be.
(c) She gave up her will to God and trusted in God to direct all that would happen after she surrendered her life to God – “ May it be to me as you have said.” (v38)
(II) The cure for sin became available
Part 2 of the Christmas story began well. Mary was not like Adam and Eve in Part 1. Mary was willing to let God have His say and let God have His way. Jesus was born through her and grew up loving God and men. Jesus taught how we could live according to God’s plan for us. But the spiritual disease called sin caused the people of His time to crucify Jesus on the cross.
As Jesus hung on the cross, the cure for sin became available for us. When Jesus hung on the cross, He absorbed all our sins past , present and future. Our sins entered Jesus’ body for the first time and separated Him from God. That’s why He cried out, “ My God, my God why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). As God placed all our sins onto Jesus, He burned our sins in Jesus’ body. That’s why when Jesus was on the cross He said, “ I am thirsty.” (John 19:28). Then when all the sins we can ever commit – past, present and future are all fully absorbed and burned up in Jesus’ body, He cried out, “ It is finished.” (John 19:30)
That day on a hill, Jesus died and our sins died with Him. Sin killed Jesus and Jesus killed sin. Now you and I are freed from our sins because after Jesus died, God raised Him from the dead and gave Him new life. If you believe in Jesus, you also will have a new life . The cure for sin has been found. Believe in Jesus and you will be saved.
(III) Who is involved in Part 3 of the Christmas story?
Now we come to Part 3 of the Christmas story. In Part 1, the Christmas story took place in the Garden of Eden. In Part 2, the story took place in a little town called Nazareth in Israel. Do you know where Part 3 of the Christmas story takes place? Part 3 takes place in your heart.
In Part 1, God planned to give up His Son Jesus to die for you so that you may live. In Part 2, Mary chose to give up her will to follow God’s will so that God can work out his will through her. In Part 3 , you are the actor of the story. You are the one who will decide what Part 3 is like. Will you follow Mary’s example of total surrender to God? For this Christmas, will you be willing to say the 3 words,“ I give up”. Will you choose like Mary? Will you :-
- give up trying to understand how God is going to work in your life and trust that God can do what He said He would do?
- give up the right to control your life and say to God – “ I am your servant”?
- give up your will to God and trust in God to direct all that will happen after you surrender your life to God?
Part 1 and Part 2 of the Christmas story had been fulfilled. In Part 1 , God did His Part. In Part 2 , Mary did her part. But in Part 3, you have to do your part.
(IV) What will you say to God?
It would be helpful now for you to pray to God. He is waiting for you to ask yourself, “What can I give up for God? Is there a bad habit I need God’s help to give up? Are there hurts in my relationships, I need God’s help to give up? Are there doubts about God that I want to give up?” What is there in your life you want to give up to God? Tell Him now and then give them all to Him.
What I have shared so far are for those who believe in Jesus Christ. If you do not know Jesus as Savior, I want to give you this opportunity to let Him come into your life. Just repeat this prayer in your heart after me, “God , I am sorry for my sins. I lived according to my way and my life has been messy. I want to be in control my life but I know I can’t. I want to give up control of my life to you and invite Jesus to come into my life right now. Jesus, thank you for dying on my behalf on the cross so that I can live a new life with the help of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for forgiving my sins. Thank you that from now on, I will never be alone because you are always with me. Amen.”
(V) Surrender your life to God
I have said earlier that the Christmas story comes in 3 parts. Parts 1 and 2 had been written. It is up to you now to write Part 3. Part 3 is about surrendering your life to God. You can surrender your life to God any time. This Christmas is as good as any time to say to God, “ God, I give up, please take over.” Remember I said that Part 3 of the Christmas story takes place in your heart.
I would like to end my blog with the lyrics of a song which goes like this:-
“Christmas isn’t Christmas till it happens in your heart;
Somewhere deep inside you is where Christmas really starts.
So give your heart to Jesus, you’ll discover when you do;
That is Christmas, really Christmas for you.”
This song reminds us that Christmas starts in our hearts. God is waiting for you to surrender your life to Him – not just this Christmas but everyday of your life. Will you do it?
