An Indescribable Gift

Christmas Eve

Jesus is the I Am

December 24, 2023

When we think of Christmas, we look at the many passages in Matthew and Luke. But I want to tell you about a passage that may turn into a new Christmas favorite, or at least one that stands out for you.

The apostle Paul was talking about giving gifts to the church. It’s the passage where he wrote, God loves a cheerful giver. And that’s so true. We give, not because we have to, but because we want to. It’s our joy and privilege to give to the church and to one another.

This chapter ends with a great one liner from Paul, when he wrote - - - -

15 Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift! - 2 Corinthians 9:15

It’s really pretty simple. It’s one of those ‘no duh’ comments. Of course, thanks be to God! What Paul is saying in these words is this . . . .

The gift that God gave to us is beyond words. We can’t express it in human terms because it’s so magnificent. We can’t describe what God did for us, because we just don’t have all the words to use to describe Jesus.

And this gift ---- ---- is freely given to us, it’s not given according to our deeds or merit, but above all else, it is freely given as a gift.

This simple verse is not found in the setting related to the nativity scene, we often don't think of it in light of Christmas. It should appear on every Christmas card. This verse should grab our attention. Paul wrote more of the New Testament than anyone else, and, other than Jesus, Paul is probably the greatest theological mind ever.

And yet he pauses when he comes to this simple four-letter word "gift" and says it is indescribable. He can’t find the right words to describe the gift of Jesus, simply telling us that the gift of Jesus is indescribable.

Why is it indescribable? Why is this gift too awesome for words? I mean, after all, it's just a baby. Well let me say, if He had been an ordinary infant, there would have been nothing indescribable about Him, just like any other baby - - - cute, but no biggie, unless it’s your baby.

Let me tell you this about Jesus. As difficult as it might be for many people, Jesus is our God. He came into this world as that helpless baby, yet fully God and human in one. How do you describe that?

How do you describe that fact that this child would ultimately bring healing and hope to anyone who professes faith in Him?

How do you describe the One who could revive the dead?

How do you describe the One who could heal the lame, the leper, the blind?

How do you describe the One who would ultimately defeat death?

Pick a superhero and that doesn’t do justice to Jesus.

He’s indescribable, yet we describe Him in our own words. Which is fine! It’s great that we do, because that’s how we relate to God.

Jesus is the One who told the Jewish leaders in the temple some astounding words. They were words they never heard before and they wanted Jesus dead because of them.

He called Himself God. How dare He? How audacious of Him to equate Himself as the Son of the Father. Yet, that’s what He did. In the temple as well. At the feast of Taberbacles, in John 8, Jesus proclaimed - - - -

58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, Before Abraham was, I AM. - John 8:58

That’s it! Really it’s a 5 word proclamation of who He is! And at that the Pharisees picked up stones to throw at Him.

But what Jesus was telling us is so deep and profound. We could talk about this until tomorrow morning, but we have to sleep because someone’s coming tonight.

Let me spell this out in just a few minutes though.

Jesus is quoting what God told Moses at the burning bush. When Moses asked God for His name, God told Moses . . . . I AM WHO I AM. That’s it. That’s the name for God. It seems kind of arbitrary. It’s not a definite name. It’s not very descriptive. I mean I am who I am. I think we can all try that one and most likely we wouldn’t get away with it.

Why did you say that? Well . . . I am who I am.

Why did you hit your sister? I don’t know, I am who I am.

Why didn’t you help them? Because! You know, I am who I am.

So, we may wonder, what does that really mean for me? Who is this child, who came into the world who is the King of kings and Lord of lords . . . . and now He’s proclaiming to be God, calling Himself, I AM.