Read Galatians 3:19-29
In the Old Testament we see that the promise of salvation would come as a Seed, part of a lineage. But when the fullness of time had come, the Seed would extend family rights to strangers. In Genesis 22 Abraham received the promise that from his family line would come a Seed of salvation, and all the nations of the earth would be blessed by it. This Seed would make a new family from all nations and peoples. In fact, Paul tells us that this Seed is Jesus (Galatians 3) and that through the grace of Christ, God makes legitimate heirs in his family, regardless of worldly status. We see a grand Christmas truth in the coming and working of Christ: God saves all kinds of people.
Come, all you broken and poor
Come, leave your riches he is more
Come, see the beauty of the Lord
God is near.
God’s redemption does not depend on your family name or social standing. Jesus saves sinners of all kinds. In Christ, he unites a “people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9). The joy of Christmas does not rest on who we are but who Christ is. Jesus brings sinners to God and by his blood (Romans 5:1) and includes all kinds of people into his family.
In God’s nearness, we see that the purpose of his grace is not found in our lowest and worst or our greatest and most praised. Are you broken and poor? Are you striving to be enough? Do you think this world can fulfill you? Do you think you are too low for God? Do you think you’re not the right “type” of person to be saved? That is not looking with the eyes of faith. By God’s unmerited favor through confidence in him, sinners can come and behold him.
Our adoration of Jesus is profound and joyful when we draw from the inexhaustible fountains of his free grace. Our love moves from selfish to devoted when God’s grace has awakened our hearts to new life. Our hope becomes secure when we realize that salvation is all of God. Our perspective sharpens when we understand that God did not choose people just like us, but people from all extents of humanity. Our souls can be at rest knowing God began and will complete the work of making us his people.
This Christmas, let this truth of who Jesus came to be help you pray for the lost. Trust that God can even save the person you see as very distant from him. Give thanks to God that he made you part of his family.
