Lord, You Gave ALL
A couple of months ago, a lady took her nephew, Jackson, trick-or-treating. He had received quite a bit of candy in his bucket. They walked upon one porch and there was a self-serve bowl next to the door. The bowl was empty. Jackson could see that there were several children coming behind them to get their candy. He started reaching down into his bucket, pulling out candy and filling the empty bowl. He wanted the other children to find candy. All of this was caught on a surveillance camera. You can look this up yourself on the Web.
My husband and I talked about this event. How many children do you know that would have given their candy so that others could have some? My husband said that he wouldn’t. I agreed that I wouldn’t have either. I was amazed that it was in Jackson’s heart to share his candy with others.
I gave this story a lot of thought. Jackson certainly had a generous heart. He gave candy, but he also kept some back. I thought of the heavenly Father. He gave His only Son for you, the world, and me. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). God loved the men, women, and children of the world. He hated their sin. The Bible is clear that the “wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). Man did not have to die, if he/she would only believe upon Jesus and accept Him as their Lord.
Jesus was the heavenly Father’s “only begotten Son”. The Father sent Him on Christmas Day as an infant laid in a manger. He also gave Him as a sacrificial lamb; not having spot, wrinkle, or blemish. His blood must be spilt for all mankind, so that everyone has the opportunity to be freed from sin. Scripture says it like this in Hebrews 9:22b (Amp.), “…without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness [neither release from sin and its guilt, nor cancellation of the merited punishment].” In other words, blood was what cancelled the sin debt. Yes, bulls, goats, sheep, and doves were offered for an atonement (a covering) for sin; but Jesus’ blood washed away all sin to be remembered no more (Is. 43:25).
We know the story of Abraham and Sarah. They wanted a child of their own, but Sarah seemingly was barren. In time, God gave them a son when Abraham was 100 and Sarah in her 90’s. God gave to them Isaac. It was truly a miracle that brought much joy to Abraham and Sarah. …But what was this? God spoke to Abraham and said, “Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest … and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of" (Gen. 22:2). Abraham prepared for the journey. He, Isaac, and two men made the trip. After a three-day journey, he told the men to stay with his donkey and said, “I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you” (Gen. 22:5). Notice, Abraham declares that he and Isaac would return. Now, Abraham obeyed the Father in going to offer his son, but was also mindful that God had told him that He would make nations of him. This would only be possible through Isaac. Taking Isaac’s life would have stopped God’s Promise from coming to pass.
Abraham lifted the knife to take his son’s life, but the angel of the Lord cried out to him, “Abraham, Abraham. Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me” (Gen. 22:11&12). Isaac was freed. The Lord provided a ram to be the sacrifice.
The Father offered His only begotten Son, Jesus. Jesus was the Lamb that was slain for all mankind. He gave Him as a baby born in Bethlehem. He gave Him to live among men. He gave Him to preach the Word, to perform miracles, and to demonstrate the love of the Father. He gave Him to shed His blood for all people. He gave Him to destroy the works of the devil. …But the Father knew that He would live again, for after three days and three nights, Jesus was raised from the dead victoriously. “Thank you, Father, for giving to us Your only begotten Son.” “Thank you, Jesus, that you did not give only a part of you, but you gave Your all.” “We receive the greatest Gift ever given, You, Lord Jesus!”