The Best Gift Ever! – The Presidential Prayer Team

The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. – Matthew 20:28

Today is Christmas, a day to celebrate the greatest gift of all. The Lord God sent His Son into the world so His people could know Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Prince of Peace. This little baby Jesus, born in the lowliest of conditions, is Messiah – the Savior of the world. The angels declared His birth. The shepherds ran to Bethlehem to see for themselves, then spread the news that Messiah had come.

It would have been appropriate for Jesus to be highly regarded and to be served in every way as a king, but He “came not to be served but to serve” (Matthey 20:28). He came as a ransom; He came to pay the price required by a just and holy God for the sins of every man and woman. His death on the cross would be sufficient for the whole world (1 John 2:2), but it would only be valid for the ones who believe in Him and His life-giving selflessness.

Ron Hamilton explains it well in his song Born to Die: “From His throne Jesus came/Laid aside Heaven’s fame in exchange for the cross of Calv’ry/For my gain suffered loss, For my sin He bore the cross/He was wounded and I was set free.” Poet Frances Havergal wrote, “I gave, I gave My life for thee, what hast thou giv’n for Me?”

Pray now for those in this nation, including those in the nation’s government, who have yet to receive the best gift ever! God’s greatest gift does one no good unless it is acceped and a life of service is lived for Him; it will bring you peace and joy beyond your understanding.

Today’s Verse: Matthew 20:28

even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for man

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Romans 15:2-9, 13

²Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. ³For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” ⁴For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. ⁵May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, ⁶that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁷Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

⁸For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, ⁹and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
    and sing to your name.”

¹³May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.