http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians+9:15&version=NIV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2:8&version=NIV
Here in the United States, today is known as Black Friday. Black Friday is the official start of the Christmas gift-buying season. As a result, many retailers will open their doors very early for shoppers. In the past, many retailers opened their doors for business at 6 AM. This year however some will open even earlier. Like 5 AM. 4 AM. Midnight. The sales will be many. As will the shoppers. Fortunately I don’t have to deal with this. My wife, daughter and son have made this an annual ritual. They are willing to be sleep deprived. They are willing to battle the crowds. And in some cases the elements. Meanwhile I shall be fast asleep. With visions of sugarplums dancing in my head.
According to Wikipedia, Black Friday received its name in Philadelphia. It was a reference to all the traffic and pedestrian congestion that bogged down the city from shoppers the day after Thanksgiving. After a while the term caught on elsewhere across the country. Others claim that Black Friday got its name because this is the day when many retailers finally go into the ‘black’ for the year and turn a profit. Take your pick on the origin. Either way the name is going to be around for a while.
Scripture tells of another ‘Black’ Friday. It occurred in the city of Jerusalem. The city was packed with both inhabitants as well as a great number of visitors. The occasion was the Passover, the most sacred of Jewish holidays. It was on this particular Friday that Jesus was condemned to death. And crucified. On a cross. As a criminal. His death dashed the hopes of many people. His disciples. His mother. His supporters. People such as Mary Magdalene. Nicodemus. Joseph of Arimathea. And many others.
Up to this point they had all believed that He was the long-awaited Messiah. In fact, His disciples believed that He was actually God’s Son. They didn’t arrive at this conclusion overnight. It took 3 long years for them to get there. And countless miracles. And inspired teaching. Then, just when they were convinced of who He was, He was crucified. That day when Jesus died, their hopes for Him and the future died as well. Truly it was a ‘Black’ Friday.
But very early Easter Sunday morning Jesus rose. In triumph. From the grave. Death could not keep Him. When He first appeared to His disciples they couldn’t believe it. Something about seeing Him tortured and publicly crucified had turned them into doubters. But they didn’t doubt for long. They finally believed. And when they did their joy returned. And their hopes and dreams for the future were also resurrected as well. Jesus really was the Messiah.
As Christianity spread, the death of Jesus was seen as the most significant event in human history. As a result, somewhere in time, ‘Black’ Friday became known as ‘Good’ Friday. 'Good' in the sense that it was a sacred day. The day that God died. For the sins of humankind. The day that the curtain separating God from His people was torn. The day that a path back to God was established.
Today, there were millions of shoppers out early this morning and throughout the day. They were all looking for a bargain. The perfect gift for that certain, special someone. Some of them were able to get their gift. Many others were no doubt disappointed. The supply of great bargains is always limited.
But not so the gift of forgiveness. It is unlimited. It is available to one and all. To whosoever. That gift is found in a person. Jesus. He is the ultimate gift. The gift that fits every human heart perfectly. The gift that keeps on giving and giving. Now and throughout eternity.
In the midst of all your holiday shopping have you found ‘the’ gift? And if you’ve found Him are you seeking to give Him to someone else? I hope so. The great thing about the Christmas season is that God entered the world. The word became flesh. And dwelt among us. Now He dwells in our hearts. By faith. Oh that this Christmas season many millions would see the light. That they would discover the gift. That their Black Friday would be turned into a Good Friday indeed!
Lord, help me to remember that during this holiday season, while I am out buying gifts, that Jesus is the Perfect Gift. May I do everything in my power to share Him with others. In Jesus' name, Amen.
According to Wikipedia, Black Friday received its name in Philadelphia. It was a reference to all the traffic and pedestrian congestion that bogged down the city from shoppers the day after Thanksgiving. After a while the term caught on elsewhere across the country. Others claim that Black Friday got its name because this is the day when many retailers finally go into the ‘black’ for the year and turn a profit. Take your pick on the origin. Either way the name is going to be around for a while.
Scripture tells of another ‘Black’ Friday. It occurred in the city of Jerusalem. The city was packed with both inhabitants as well as a great number of visitors. The occasion was the Passover, the most sacred of Jewish holidays. It was on this particular Friday that Jesus was condemned to death. And crucified. On a cross. As a criminal. His death dashed the hopes of many people. His disciples. His mother. His supporters. People such as Mary Magdalene. Nicodemus. Joseph of Arimathea. And many others.
Up to this point they had all believed that He was the long-awaited Messiah. In fact, His disciples believed that He was actually God’s Son. They didn’t arrive at this conclusion overnight. It took 3 long years for them to get there. And countless miracles. And inspired teaching. Then, just when they were convinced of who He was, He was crucified. That day when Jesus died, their hopes for Him and the future died as well. Truly it was a ‘Black’ Friday.
But very early Easter Sunday morning Jesus rose. In triumph. From the grave. Death could not keep Him. When He first appeared to His disciples they couldn’t believe it. Something about seeing Him tortured and publicly crucified had turned them into doubters. But they didn’t doubt for long. They finally believed. And when they did their joy returned. And their hopes and dreams for the future were also resurrected as well. Jesus really was the Messiah.
As Christianity spread, the death of Jesus was seen as the most significant event in human history. As a result, somewhere in time, ‘Black’ Friday became known as ‘Good’ Friday. 'Good' in the sense that it was a sacred day. The day that God died. For the sins of humankind. The day that the curtain separating God from His people was torn. The day that a path back to God was established.
Today, there were millions of shoppers out early this morning and throughout the day. They were all looking for a bargain. The perfect gift for that certain, special someone. Some of them were able to get their gift. Many others were no doubt disappointed. The supply of great bargains is always limited.
But not so the gift of forgiveness. It is unlimited. It is available to one and all. To whosoever. That gift is found in a person. Jesus. He is the ultimate gift. The gift that fits every human heart perfectly. The gift that keeps on giving and giving. Now and throughout eternity.
In the midst of all your holiday shopping have you found ‘the’ gift? And if you’ve found Him are you seeking to give Him to someone else? I hope so. The great thing about the Christmas season is that God entered the world. The word became flesh. And dwelt among us. Now He dwells in our hearts. By faith. Oh that this Christmas season many millions would see the light. That they would discover the gift. That their Black Friday would be turned into a Good Friday indeed!
Lord, help me to remember that during this holiday season, while I am out buying gifts, that Jesus is the Perfect Gift. May I do everything in my power to share Him with others. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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