On Our Behalf

Amidst the flurry of activity that surrounds Christmas, most of us--even for at least a brief time--ponder the birth of Jesus Christ and what it means to us. Many call it the greatest gift ever given and rightfully so. Even worn-out sayings like "Jesus is the reason for the season" still ring true if heard over the mayhem of securing last-minute gifts for under the tree.

What came to mind for me as Christmas approaches actually had nothing to do with Jesus birth. Rather, it was what happened after his death, burial and resurrection. Hebrews 9:24 says: For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.

Not only did Jesus leave his place in heaven to come into the world as a baby born in a manger and spend time here meeting human need with divine resources, but he returned to the Father to continue interceding for believers. From the moment the angel of the Lord announced: For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11) to Jesus assuming his current place seated at the right hand of the Father (Hebrews 12:2), everything our Lord has done, is currently doing and will continue to do throughout eternity is on our behalf. John 3:17 reminds us that God didn't send Jesus into the world to condemn us but rather that the world would be saved through Him.

Just as priests entered into the holy place of the temple to offer sacrifices to God for sin, Jesus the High Priest entered into the holiest of places and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for all. On our behalf. Where will you find a more prefect Christmas gift than that?