Jesus: The Generous Gift Giver

Friend, are you alive inside? I know you are breathing, but is your soul truly alive and satisfied? Or are you more of an empty shell, numb, searching, and desperate for answers?

Are you searching for the one gift you think will make you happy?

Presents under tree

Jesus promises us life and tries to discourage us from seeking happiness in all the wrong places. He encourages us to come to Him and really understand what it means to be spiritually alive and satisfied.

I always think of Isaiah 55 during the Christmas season when I am frantically shopping for Christmas gifts for my kids.

Isaiah 55 pictures a coastal community and a merchant on the dock of a busy port, calling to passersby and anyone who would listen to come and “buy” his product. There are qualifications: you must be thirsty and poor. Upon closer inspection we see that this person is not a merchant at all because he’s not taking money. The goods are free because they were already paid for by another. He’s offering them free for the taking because it’s in his nature as a grace-giver to do so. He knows what will eternally satisfy us because he made us.

Come, everyone who thirsts,
    come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
    come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
    without money and without price.
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
    and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
    and delight yourselves in rich food.
Incline your ear, and come to me;
    hear, that your soul may live;
and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
    my steadfast, sure love for David.

The offer is made to all, and the gospel excludes none, except for those who would exclude themselves.

There are other merchants selling their goods, vying for your attention. The noise. It’s all around us. Blaring advertisements. Promises. Voices. “If you use this product, you’ll be beautiful, or popular, or relevant, or successful.” They offer satisfaction, but the Lord knows that these thing won’t satisfy in the end.

God reasons with us: “Why are you spending your money on things that will never satisfy? Why are you working so hard to get things that will never fill that void?

He’s calling.

He’s saying, “Listen to me. Come to me. Heed, and when you know me, you’ll truly LIVE.”

I don’t know if you’ve noticed but there are so many people who are unhappy and unsatisfied around us. Men and women who are seeking anything to make them happy. They need this message. We all need this message. We are not just flesh. We are spirit. And our spirits were created to be in fellowship with the Creator. Sin separates us from God, but the best news of all is that grace is for sinners, and Jesus makes a way back to Him by offering us the free gift of salvation. He died for you. He was buried and rose again the third day.

That’s it. That’s everything. And when you realize the impact of this, it truly is everything! No hoops, no penance, no working at all. Just faith. You can’t buy it by good works, friends, because it’s not for sale.

Why can’t you work or pay for salvation?

Because the gift has already been bought and paid for with the precious blood of Christ Jesus on the cross. It was enough. “It is finished.”

Do you fall into the category of looking for something to satisfy that ache in your being?

Are you working tirelessly to earn a good standing with God?

Are you the thirsty and the soul-sick person in these verses?

Perhaps Jesus is calling to you today?

He’s offering you a GIFT. Salvation from sin, wholeness of soul, and eternity with him in heaven. And it’s because of Christ.

Reach out and take hold of the gift by faith.

 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,  not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2: 8,9



2 thoughts on “Jesus: The Generous Gift Giver”

  • I love Isaiah 55 and spent some time this year studying it and trying to memorize it 🙂 one of my favorites! Such a great reminder that only Jesus satisfies.

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