“He is welcoming you with open arms.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – December 25, 2022
Come to me . . . for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29
When I think about Christmas, I think about Jesus. And when I think about Jesus, I think about Him lying small and tender in a manger. In similar fashion, Matthew 11:29 describes Him as “gentle and humble in heart.” This is how He came over 2,000 years ago.
Jesus didn’t come as a proud, unapproachable King. But He came in humble conditions with a humble heart. He is compassionate, kind and is ready to receive you and me as we receive Him this holiday.
In his book, Gentle and Lowly, Dane Ortlund writes:
The point in saying that Jesus is lowly [humble in heart] is that he is accessible. For all his resplendent glory and dazzling holiness, his supreme uniqueness and otherness, no one in human history has ever been more approachable than Jesus Christ. No prerequisites. No hoops to jump through . . . the minimum bar to be enfolded into the embrace of Jesus is simply: open yourself up to him. It is all he needs.
As you think about being received by Jesus, you may feel that you need to fix yourself up or make yourself worthy of Him before you approach Him. Nothing is further from the truth. Matthew 11:28 invites all who are “heavy laden” to come to Him.
Heavy laden with sin. Heavy laden with guilt. Heavy laden with bad habits and bad histories. Heavy laden with fear, unbelief, doubts, and lust, and heavy laden with every kind of unattractive and ungodly quality.
If you are heavy laden, He is holding out His arms to you. “Come to me, all who . . . are heavy laden, including you, Dear Child. Come to me. I receive you.”
This is the joy of Christmas. As the world once again receives her King according to the words of the old hymn, “Joy to the World,” He is ready to receive the world with open arms.
If you haven’t asked Him into your heart yet, if you haven’t invited Him to be your Savior, He is waiting. He is approachable and the One who loves you more than anyone can.
If you know Him already, approach Him once again this Christmas in joy of heart knowing He welcomes you once again with open arms.
“Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let earth receive her King
Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room.”
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16-17).
Prayer
Lord Jesus, please forgive me for all my sins. I confess everything to you. I believe you were born into this world, died on the cross for me and rose again the third day. Lord Jesus, I open the door of my heart to you; come in and save me. I thank you that you are my Lord and Savior. In your precious name I pray, Amen!
Application
If you haven’t asked Christ into your life to be your Lord and Savior, pray the above prayer. If you already know Him, thank Him that He is approachable and that He came on Christmas.
Related Reading
James 4:6; Luke 1:52; John 6:37; Revelation 22:17
Worship Resource
Pentatonix: Joy to the World
Donate
If you are blessed by these daily devotionals please prayerfully consider a donation to support Wisdom Hunters Resources. We are trusting the Lord for His provision.
Download our app!
