Bridge Church Vancouver

45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

From the very beginning - God was planning and anticipating the day His Son would be born as a man, like one of his creation.

He would send his son to humanity to be their saviour. The greatest expression of his love - the giving of himself for the sake of humanity, whom he loved so much.

Jesus knew the plan, from the beginning as well, one day he would enter into flesh, become incarnate, and as God enter the world just like every baby that has ever been born. He was not to be like an angle or some foreign alien and just ‘swoop' in already in full strength and glory, but instead he was to be the complete picture of the humility of love, he would be born naked wrapped in linen clothes and he would die naked wrapped in linen clothes.

Jesus served

He continued to demonstrate His humble love for us by serving us. God served us! Can you imagine? Not out of duty, or obligation but unrestrained love.

It can be so hard to serve others can it...

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Jesus came as God and served us, not so we would respond to him - but so he might show us the depth of his love for us.

...Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life...
Jesus gave

Jesus is the one who said it is more blessed to give than to receive

He gave - not to receive, but he gave to express his love, his deep love

He did not expect nor want to be repaid - he gave as a gift, no strings attached.

Can you imagine some one were to give you a wonderful Christmas present, one of those gifts everyone dreams of getting, but never really expect to receive, but someone gives it to you. Your overwhelmed, beyond belief, astounded. You open the gift and are truely struck speechless, it nearly takes your breath away.

Could you imagine a few days after receiving a gift like that then getting a bill in the mail to pay for it

Or after receiving a tremendous gift pulling your wallet out to give the giver some money for it, could you imagine how offended they would be.

Jesus gave himself for us - out of love for us, and it is in the strength of his grace that he gives it. It is also in his grace we receive it. You can not earn it, pay for it, nor demand it.

You receive it as he gives it. His gift is wrapped in his flesh delivered on a cross.

"...Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom..."
Jesus ransomed

When he ransomed us - he set us free. His gift provides us our freedom. We are free to be who God made us to be. We are free to live in his righteousness. We are free to love and give as he gives. We are free.

For Jesus to pay the ransom means there is no other thing required, the gift is provided to us paid in full. There is nothing more you or I can do. It is not about ‘trying to live a good life' or even ‘trying to live like Jesus' It is about living ‘free in his grace' free to give myself, free to serve with no strings attached.

We do not have to prove anything to others, to God or even myself. I have been ransomed.

The angels came and declared:

Luke 2:10-12

"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christa the Lord.

And after the shepherds had seen the baby Jesus the bible says:

Luke 2:17-20

17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
We celebrate

Now Christmas becomes a celebration, not only of trees, stockings, and santa, but a celebration of our lives made free because of Jesus. 

At our house birthdays are a big deal, it is a chance to celebrate that a family member was born, and what they mean to us, the impact they have had on us.

This last week, a good friend of mine celebrated his birthday. He wanted to celebrate it with his children who were all going to a school about 2 ½ hours away so he and his wife drove up to have dinner with them and celebrate his birthday. My friend has had a significant impact on the lives of many people and when a few friends found out they were going to celebrate his birthday with his daughters, about 25 people made plans to leave their work early and also drive a couple of hours just to have dinner with their friend. I talked to my friend the next day and he told me how they had ‘taken over' a section of a restaurant and spent several hours where people would take turns telling him how he has impacted their lives. Then they drove home another 2 ½ hours to home. My friend was greatly encouraged because some of his closest friends truely celebrated his life and the impact of it on their own.

Christmas is a time to celebrate the huge impact that Jesus has had on our lives. This year celebrate with joy. Remember what Jesus has done for you. The significant gift he has given you does not expire, but if it has ceased to take your breath away maybe you need to take another look at it, open it again.

Maybe you live with the reality of God's gift, but it is not flowing through your life, and you need to begin serving others, without attaching strings, or expecting a return gift. Those things will steal your celebration.