I remember greatly anticipating one Christmas morning, and a specific gift, when I was around seven or eight years old: a toy remote controlled army tank! Granted, this was around 1966, a time when a toy remote-controlled tank was considered cutting-edge. I remember hours spent playing with that toy, slowly guiding that tank down the hall and maneuvering the left turn into my parents’ bedroom, in our home on Nealy Street. Although that remote-controlled tank was probably the most memorable gift of my childhood, I’ve received many amazing gifts over the years. Some of those gifts were expensive and others just as valuable, but very inexpensive. Over the years, I’ve learned that all gifts, no matter their monetary or sentimental value, are limited in their ability to completely satisfy and fulfil us. That remote-controlled tank back in the late 60s eventually faded away, along with all gifts since.
In 2 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul spends time referring to a specific gift. Paul refers to the gospel, being given to us in the person of Jesus Christ, as God’s “unspeakable gift.” Paul professes, in using the word “unspeakable,” that this satisfying and fulfilling gift of the gospel is beyond description. The one thing, the only thing, that not only meets every level of need, enjoyment and satisfaction, is the gospel. The gospel “wrapped up” is the person of Jesus Christ – the one size gift that fits every need of man. Every size problem is resolved, and every void is filled by the good news of Jesus Christ. The gospel claims to not only satisfy and completely for our sins, but to also be everything we could possibly need in our own heart and in life’s pursuits. The gospel is more than enough to be that one lasting and fulfilling gift; it is unspeakable in its benefits and ability to fill us with joy (1 Peter 1:8). In the Old Testament book of Lamentations, Jeremiah referred to the Lord’s mercies, compassions, and his faithfulness, which are benefits of the gospel, as being new every morning (3:22). In the New Testament, we see Jesus refer to himself as a gift. As Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well, he told her “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water” (John 4:10). Water was a precious, valuable commodity in the ancient Eastern culture; wells met the basic human need of thirst and served as the social center of these communities. However, as valuable as water was, it too was limited. Jesus explained that the well’s water would leave her thirsty again, but his gift of living water would satisfy forever. The gift of Christ provides a well of living water, springing up within forever (4:14). A well that would quench every need of life. During this unusual time in our lives, I want to remind you of God’s unspeakable gift – a personal relationship between sinful man and a holy God through the sacrifice of his son, Jesus Christ. I challenge you to embrace the gift of the gospel in pursuing his word daily, confessing areas of sin, and depending upon Jesus to bring about true and lasting change. Grow in your understanding of Jesus, the unspeakable gift. You’ll find him satisfying, fulfilling and new every morning, not just Christmas morning.
Merry Christmas from your Pastor and Wanda! May you ever find in Jesus, God’s unspeakable gift, everything that you need.
-Pastor Guy Roberts
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift! 2 Cor 9:15