No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
(Joy to the World, Verse 3)
Series: Joy to the World
As we approach Christmas Day, the preparations of the season increase and overflow into our daily activities. Whether we search recipes for family gatherings, scan Amazon for the perfect stocking stuffers, or string lights around our homes and trees, there’s a specific purpose in each of these activities: to share the love and light of Jesus.
We rejoice in the coming of our Savior and exchange blessings with others as we gather, feast, give gifts, and illuminate the darkness. These various expressions of joy shared with those in our world reflect the life of Jesus.
From the beginning of time, through the fall of man (Genesis 3) and thousands of years of prophetic messages about the coming Messiah, it all points to His glorious birth. Verse 3 of “Joy to the World” says that Jesus comes to make His blessings flow as far as the curse is found. Every moment leading up to the birth of Jesus was pregnant with this purpose. And every moment after His birth is the fulfillment of this glorious truth.
Let’s identify some of those reasons Jesus came and the blessings that flow because He has come.
- Jesus came to fulfill the Law. Man could not keep the Law. Everyone needs the blessings of a Savior to fulfill the Law for them.
Do not presume that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. (Matthew 5:17 NASB)
- Jesus came to call sinners to repentance. We all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. Jesus provides the blessing of the opportunity to repent and be forgiven.
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Luke 5:32 HCSB)
- Jesus came to serve and give His life. He served many when He walked on this earth, and He gave His life for all. Everyone who believes in Him will receive the blessing of eternal life with Him.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45 HCSB)
- Jesus came to teach truth and proclaim freedom. The blessings of wisdom, understanding, freedom, recovery, and favor are available through Jesus.
The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Luke 4:18-19 HCSB)
- Jesus came to save the lost. We all were like lost sheep without a shepherd. Jesus is our Good Shepherd. He finds all who believe in Him and they receive salvation through Him.
For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost. (Luke 19:10 HCSB)
For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. (John 3:17 HCSB)
- Jesus came to give abundant life. The blessings of abundance flow freely to those who believe in Jesus.
A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance. (John 10:10 HCSB)
- Jesus came so that believers would not be in darkness, but have the light of Christ with them always.
I have come as a light into the world so that everyone who believes in Me would not remain in darkness. (John 12:46 HCSB)
The curse entered the world when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden. From that instance on through today, sin and sorrow are found throughout the world and in the very depths of the hearts of all people. All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. Yet, there is not one heart too dark or too far gone for the Light of Christ to reach.
As we make room for and worship our Savior with rejoicing, let’s be aware and intentional of the greater purpose in all the preparations. May the blessings of God—the peace, light, generosity, and love of Christ—freely flow from us and into every gathering, conversation, and opportunity.
Holding Fast to Hope,
Maryann
Scripture References: Matthew 5:17; Luke 4:18-19, 5:32, 19:10; Mark 10:45; John 3:17, 10:10, 12:46; Genesis 3; Romans 3:23-24, 5
