A Great Offer
by Malcolm Wood
Blazoned across our newspapers, spread across shop windows, and plastered across our TV screens, are offers designed to persuade us all to buy more but spend less! ‘Two for the price of one’, ‘buy one get one half price’, ‘three for two’, ‘buy now pay later’, ‘double loyalty points’; the options are endless. And we - the potential customers - are left even more confused about which is the best deal.
In the verses above we see that, through the prophet Isaiah, God makes a remarkable offer. He gives us the opportunity to buy without any money! These verses remind us of how it’s possible to wear ourselves out working for, and seeking after, that which doesn’t last and fails to bring the fulfilment and satisfaction we seek.
Christmas reminds us that God proves the validity of His offer. He sent Jesus into the world to communicate the heart and character of God. It’s only through His death on the cross at Calvary that Jesus has made it possible for us to find complete fulfilment, satisfaction, and the prospect of eternal life. It’s the ultimate expression of God’s free offer. Isn’t this an offer worth considering and accepting?
While He was on earth Jesus said that His nourishment came from doing the will of God (John 4:34). Could it be that we have our priorities wrong? Elsewhere Jesus says ‘Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these other things will be added unto you’ (Matthew 6:33).
This Christmas time, as we scurry around to find the best deals for that ever increasing list of presents, let’s take time out to consider afresh all that God offers to us through Jesus, and, if necessary, adjust our priorities.
‘You are my strength when I am weak. You are the treasure that I seek. You are my all in all. Seeking You as a precious jewel, Lord, to give up I`d be a fool. You are my all in all’ (Dennis Jernigan © 1991 Shepherds Heart Inc.).
Prayer: Dear Lord, please forgive me for so often getting my priorities wrong and seeking after the wrong things. Help me to always put You first. Amen
Malcolm Wood and his wife Anna became part of the Ellel family as House Managers at Ellel Grange in 1990. Since then they have been involved with many aspects of the developing Ministry. From 2001 until 2015 they were Directors of Ellel Scotland where they hosted several International Schools and Operation Blairmore and helped pioneer the exciting Creative Inspiration Weeks. They have three sons.
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