Christmas isn’t just a beautiful story or a holiday tradition.

What Was Jesus’ Mission on Earth?

Jesus clearly defined his mission when he said, “The Son of man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). This statement came after his encounter with Zacchaeus, a man who climbed a tree out of mere curiosity but found himself face-to-face with salvation.

God Always Makes the First Move

The story of Zacchaeus reveals an important truth: salvation begins with God’s pursuit of us, not our pursuit of Him. Zacchaeus wasn’t looking for a life change; he was just curious. But Jesus looked up into that tree and invited Himself to dinner. This is always God’s pattern.

We see this from the beginning in the Garden of Eden, where God sought Adam after sin entered the world. We see it at the cross, where Jesus laid down his life for sinners who couldn’t save themselves. Christmas tells us that salvation begins with God’s relentless pursuit of lost humanity.

Why Did Salvation Require Such a Costly Gift?

John 3:16 reveals the incredible cost of Christmas: “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.”

Christ Was Given, Not Loaned

God didn’t loan Jesus to our world temporarily. He gave Him so we could be forgiven. From the moment Jesus was born in that manger, He was pointed toward the Cross. The baby wrapped in swaddling clothes would one day be wrapped in grave clothes, taking our place on a Cross we deserved.

Think about this: most of us wouldn’t give up our only child for one person, let alone the whole world. Yet God gave His only Son for humanity, not because He lowered the standard, but because He chose to pay the price Himself.

Did Jesus Come to Condemn Us?

John 3:17 provides crucial context: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.”

Condemnation Was Already Present

Condemnation has existed since original sin entered the world. Jesus didn’t come to add more condemnation. He came to rescue us from it. This means Christians shouldn’t be in the business of condemning others either. Our job is to love people and pray for them, not to shame or guilt them into faith.

The Power of Prayer Over Condemnation

Instead of condemning lost people, we should pray for them. Consider keeping a “Most Wanted” list on your phone: names of people you’re believing God will save. Your prayers matter more than your condemnation ever could.

How Do We Receive This Salvation Personally?

While salvation was planned and purchased by God, we must personally receive Christ. The Gospel is full of “whosoevers.” Whosoever is a comforting word that shows no one is excluded from God’s invitation. But it also means that no one gets an automatic entry.

Salvation Isn’t Automatic

You can’t receive salvation by proximity. Being near the manger doesn’t save you. Knowing the Christmas story doesn’t save you. Celebrating the season doesn’t save you. Only Jesus saves, and His name literally means “Jehovah Saves.”

Faith and Repentance Are Rescue Words

Salvation happens when we turn away from sin (repentance) and trust in Christ (faith). These aren’t just religious terms; they’re rescue words. We admit we cannot save ourselves and receive what only Jesus can give.

What Does “It Is Finished” Really Mean?

When Jesus cried, “It is finished,” on the Cross, He used the Greek word “tetelestai,” meaning “a debt has been paid in full.” The price for our sin was completely satisfied. All our sin was placed on Him, and all His righteousness was credited to our account.

The Resurrection Completes the Story

The Cross wasn’t the crescendo of the Gospel; the Resurrection was! Jesus didn’t just die for our sins; He rose again so we could live. If He had only died, we’d still be dead in our sins. But because He lives, we can live too.

---

Christmas demands more than admiration.

It requires a personal response. Today, examine your relationship with Jesus Christ honestly. Are you simply admiring Him from a distance, or are you trusting Him fully with your whole life?

Have you personally received Jesus Christ as your Savior, or are you relying on proximity to faith through family or church attendance?

Are you treating your salvation casually, or do you live with gratitude for the costly gift God gave

Is there an area of your life where you need to stop admiring Jesus and start trusting Him completely?

Christmas isn’t just about December 25th. It’s about a year-round celebration of salvation.

Jesus left the glories of heaven to seek and save the lost, and that includes you. The question isn’t whether God loves you enough to save you. He’s already proven that. The question is whether you’ll respond to His intentional pursuit of your heart.