“But to each one of us grace was given
according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says: When He ascended
on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men” (Ephesians
4:7-8)
Glenn A. Clark recently traveled from his
home in Seal Beach, California, to a conference in Amsterdam, in the
Netherlands, as reported in a local newspaper. He provided a lot of interesting
information about Amsterdam, but his attempt to ride on a streetcar was what
caught my attention in the article. Mr. Clark wanted to see the city and asked
the desk clerk in his hotel about the best way to reach the “Central
Plaza.”
The desk clerk told him of a streetcar
station in front of the hotel, saying, “Take the number 7
car at the stop right out there,” continuing: “it
will deposit you in the central plaza.” Mr. Clark then walked to the
streetcar stop on a pedestrian island. In a few minutes, a number 7 streetcar
came along and stopped right in front of him. Here’s what happened next:
“I looked through the
closed doors at the driver, who looked right back at me. He then shrugged his
shoulders, pressed the accelerator and sped off. I was open-mouthed as I watched
the streetcar disappearing into the distance. What did I do wrong?” I waited for
another streetcar, which I soon saw coming. Again, the car stopped right in
front of me. I looked at the driver, he looked back at me and again shrugged his
shoulders and sped away.”
Mr. Clark continued, “This
left me wondering what in the wide world was wrong with me. It was downright
eerie. Did I have a sign on my forehead that said, ‘Do not open the door for
this guy as he will destroy Amsterdam?’ As another streetcar stopped, a
passenger reached out and pressed a large, brightly colored button on the side
of the car. It said, in red letters, one word, “empuje.” After pushing the
button, the passenger got on, the door closed and the streetcar continued on. So
when my number 7 streetcar came along, I found the “empuje” button. The doors
magically opened. I had broken the code…”
Many Christians celebrate December 25th as the birth date of
Jesus Christ. I will not go into the various arguments of those who disagree
with it as the “right” date, but in understanding its significance, note that
many exchange gifts on what is called “Christmas”
day. It’s remarkable that the great majority of those who exchange such gifts do not
understand that by giving them they show something of Jesus Christ, who “gave gifts to men” (which means to “mankind” - Ephesians
4:7-8). We act out a “parable” of what He did by presenting gifts to one another.
Some of the “gifts”
given by God are mentioned
in the Book of Ephesians. First and foremost, He takes those who “were dead in trespasses and (makes)
us ALIVE together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:5). Paul, the human author of
the Letter to the Ephesians, said, “by (God’s) grace you have been saved,” and continues that He “raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenly
places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6). Christ’s death and life takes ordinary
people like you and me and makes us FIT for the “heavenly
places.” Incredibly, somehow, in some way, through the power and grace of
God, we are already there. It continues, “for by grace
you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the GIFT of
God" (Ephesians 2:8).
The whole of the Book of Ephesians is amazing in its
content. God chose “that He would grant
you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through
His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith,
that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all
the saints what is the width and length and depth and height – to know the love
of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness
of God” (Ephesians 3:16-19). God the Father wonderfully plants His Christ, His
Spirit, deeply into the hearts of those who have faith in His Son Jesus.
He does this – forever. We reasonably shout, “to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all
ages, world without end. Amen!” (Ephesians 3:21). And we are given even
more, for He is “equipping (us) for the work of ministry” (Ephesians 4:12), giving “some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some
pastors and teachers” and much more (Ephesians 4:11). He gives GIFTS to
all who place their faith in His Son.
A custom of “Christmas” in many
parts of the world is that a fir tree is cut down or purchased and it is brought
into the homes of those who celebrate this special day. The tree is
“trimmed” with items like ribbons, bows, glass, plastic or metal bulbs and more.
Then the presents to be given are placed under the tree. Each of these presents
is typically wrapped in colorful paper, tied with ribbons and a card is taped to
each present, telling who it is from and who is to receive it.
The present may be wrapped in beautiful paper, it may be tied
with beautiful ribbon, and you may be delighted to note that it is addressed to
you. But you have to do one important thing. You must break or cut
that beautiful ribbon and tear off the colorful paper that is wrapped around it.
You must then open the box, cutting whatever tape is carefully holding the lid
in place, and only then can you truly receive the present that is addressed to
you.
This process is very much like Mr. Clark’s need to push that
button on the side of the number 7 streetcar. It was the one going to his
destination and he was right next to it, but he had to push the button or the
conductor would not open the door. Similarly, you must open the present
addressed to you or you will never receive what is inside.
It is the same with our Lord Jesus Christ. Scripture says, “For God so loved the WORLD that He gave His only begotten Son,
that WHOEVER believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
And it continues, “God did not send His Son into the world
to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved”
(John 3:16-17). YOUR NAME is written on the cross and life of the Son of God;
and lest you think this is not for you, it is written in His blood, that all
might understand God did this for the “WORLD.” It
is not just for some special group. He gave His present –His life– to you.
Your destination is the “heavenly
places,” which is a great gift, given through the “grace,”
the “unmerited favor” of God. To enjoy this great present, though, you must “push the button.” The correct “button” is not on a
streetcar or under a tree, however; it’s in your “heart,” and the word on it is
“faith,” written in many languages. Let’s “press”
it right now, placing our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We can shout, “I have broken the code!” by trusting in Him.
Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Forgive me for not trusting fully in Him before. I receive and trust in Him right now.
I praise Your Holy Name. In Jesus Name. Amen.
