SCRIPTURE:
“Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.””
John 20:21
OBSERVATION:
The presents are wrapped and ready to be unveiled, children will struggle to sleep as anticipation fills them, and tomorrow will hopefully be a day full of smiles, joy, and love. I love Christmas! And with all the excitement tomorrow holds, today I find joy and gratitude in remembering the end of the story, the climax of the story, the “empty tomb”. The empty tomb that signified Jesus’ victory, the empty tomb that displayed His power, the empty tomb that revealed His forgiveness, the empty tomb that gives me peace, hope and purpose is the greatest gift we can remember and receive this Christmas. We celebrate Christmas because He came, and we celebrate the empty tomb because He conquered. As John recounts the story of the empty tomb, he recounts Jesus’ words, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
APPLICATION:
Today, I rejoice in His victory, I receive His peace, and I respond to His commissioning. He has granted us the greatest gift, and now He allows us to share that gift with others. Today, before it’s too late, may we share the gift of invitation, inviting people to know this same redemption and peace. In the midst of the busyness and chaos, may we remember and then respond by sharing this message. We are sent! So let’s go…go and speak truth, go and share love, go and tell it on the mountains that Jesus Christ is Lord.
PRAYER:
Jesus, as I find joy in the Christmas season, I rejoice in the empty tomb. You came to earth because You loved, You finished Your assignment because You loved, You died on a cross because You loved, and I praise and thank You. Thank You for granting Your forgiveness and peace, and today I ask that You would give me the boldness to go…to go and share Your love, Your grace, and Your truth. Please use our Christmas Eve services to reap a harvest that You might be honored. In Your name, Amen!
