Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!

Beginning in Chapter 7 of 2 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul is exhorting the church on the foundational principles of giving, and why (as God’s people) we are to give of what God has provided for us. Paul speaks of the blessings and benefits that go along with giving, and then when he tries to describe God’s gift of Jesus Christ to us, the only word Paul can come up with is “inexpressible”—some versions say “unspeakable!”

Paul’s description tells us that our minds are limited in our ability to grasp the fullness and glory of God’s gift Jesus Christ. It is too great, too glorious, to adequately describe; and yet as believers, we know it is the greatest of gifts. From creation to the fall, from the call of Abraham through the time of Judges, from David’s era to the prophets, from the Apostolic age and on to the Apocalypse, we read an incomparable message of love, salvation, hope and redemption, all contained in the unspeakable gift of Jesus Christ. No language, no expression, no description can do justice to the value of this gift. It is the gift of unspeakable love—unconditional, universal, and unmerited. Yet God commanded His love to us anyway. Even in our sinful states, He gave His son to die for us (Romans 5:8).

Jesus Christ is the gift of unspeakable greatness and glory. He is one who walked and walks with God; He is God. He is head over all things (Ephesians 1:22). He is all-knowing and life-giving (John 1:4). Such greatness and glory can only lead one’s heart to gratitude. We have been given the gift of Jesus Christ and all His benefits and blessings of love, hope, peace, comfort, and joy. Greatness and glory, unspeakable and divine! My own heart cries out “THANKS BE TO GOD FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT!”

There is a story of a Nativity scene erected in a church yard. One night as people came across the scene, there was a dog lying next to the baby Jesus. A stray dog looking for a place of comfort and peace and protection to rest its weary head—a dog, wise to draw near to Jesus for such a place. Let that be you and your heart this Christmas. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. Draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having your heart sprinkled clean from an evil conscience, and your body washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:22).

Merry Christmas, and thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift!

By Pastor David Massie, Bible League International staff, California U.S.