is for Only.

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. -1 John 4:9-10

Activity: Find It! Go and find something in your house that is unique. What is it about what you found that makes it one of a kind, the ONLY one?

Sometimes when we hear the word “only” we think that there is not enough. Like when there is only one cookie. We think to ourselves, “Will I get it? That’s not enough for all of us. Am I going to have to share it?” When there is only so much of something, we worry that we might get left out.

Other times we hear the word only and we get excited because something might be exclusive. Maybe you have something rare and special like one of 10 special edition signed Patrick Mahomes jersies. When there are only so many of something it becomes special, rare, and valuable.

Today we read that God sent His only Son. But we are assured that He is enough. Jesus is not something that runs out. The Bible assures us that Jesus is more than enough for everyone, like the whole-wide world. So the “only” in, “God sent his only Son,” must mean that we are talking about the special, rare kind of only. John 4 tells us what this “one-of-a-kind”ness is. “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus is the “only” way to heaven.

People try everything under the sun to earn their way into God’s favor and win a spot in heaven. Some people will try to be smart enough to show that they deserve to live in heaven. Some will try to be rich enough to buy their way into heaven. Some hope to be good enough to show their worth. But there is nothing we can do or be that can get us into heaven. None of that works.

On Christmas, God gave us the only thing that can actually help us. Jesus is the only way to heaven.

As we look forward to Christmas, we are excited to celebrating that special baby in the manger. The incredibly valuable baby who is the one and only way that you and I have hope for eternal life. The only Son of God, Jesus.

PRAYER: Dear God, Thank you for sending Jesus, so that we can know the only way to heaven. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.