Return Home

Having just watched The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever, I can’t help but be reminded of the true meaning of Christmas. In the movie, there was a line that went, “Christmas is for everyone.” How often I forget that Jesus came so that ALL may have life and have it abundantly. I also believe that much of the Christian church has forgotten this sentiment.

We tend to get caught up in the idea that Christ is only for those who do right and live righteously. However, Christ told us, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17). It is important that we remember that we who know Christ were once sick and in need of a physician. We were wretched and lost, but by the grace of God, we were found and redeemed by the blood of Jesus. We were once the ones who Jesus came for. Now that we are part of the family, it is our job to find more people who are in need of a physician and saving and invite them to be part of the family.

Christ didn’t come for those who are righteous, He came for those who don’t know Him and are in need of Him. Ultimately, He came for all, but once we are part of the family, the focus should no longer be on ourselves and there should be a major shift on others in need of redemption.

Consider the leaving of the 99 to find the lost one, or perhaps the parable of the prodigal son. Jesus rejoices in finding those who are lost and will go to every extreme to seek them out. He rejoices at the return of a prodigal who left and has returned. Jesus Christ loves His children, but His heart wants all to come to Him and be part of the family. He doesn’t care where they have been or what they have done. He wants all to repent and return back home.

The birth of Christ was the ultimate love letter to humanity, an invitation to return home. It marked the moment when heaven came to earth, offering salvation and eternal life to all who believe. It was the open door that we all needed so that we might be able to go home.

Jesus Christ will pursue everyone with wild abandon. His heart’s desire is for all of humanity to return to Him and be made whole. Once He captures the heart of an individual, He asks that we help in the pursuit of others who are in need of Him.

Let us never forget that Jesus Christ came for everyone. He came for the drug addicts, the prostitute, the cheaters, the liars, the back stabbers, the murderers, the conceited, the selfish, the godless, the child molesters, the abusers, the sexually confused, and many more. And if you got uncomfortable when I mentioned child molesters and abusers, you may want to reflect on who Jesus is and the purpose of the cross.

Let us never forget that we all deserve death, but the free gift of salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ and the sacrifice He made on the cross, is for everyone. So who are we to think that we deserve it and others don’t. None of us deserve it. We are all in need of saving, and because of the birth of Jesus Christ, we ALL have the opportunity to return home and be made whole.