The Greatest Gift

Inspiration Behind The Greatest Gift
Author: Vicky Beeching

Scripture References: Philippians 2:6-8

Verse Text: Christ, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant. Being made in human likeness and being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!

When I think of all that Jesus left behind to come to Earth, it amazes me. He traded Heaven's glory and perfection, for the pain and tears of fallen Earth. He traded sitting on the throne and receiving the praise of angels, for mocking, beating and crucifixion. He took his limitless, eternal Self and was constrained by a human body of skin and bone. The Creator of all things, put Himself at the mercy of those he had created.

Philippians 2:6-8 expresses this: "Christ, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant. Being made in human likeness and being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!"

Even more amazing is the fact that he did this out of choice. He acted out of His great love for us. The choice He made, and the death he died are what enables us to receive salvation.

Paul puts it like this: "The wages of sin are death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23). I love the word "gift" in this verse, as it emphasises the freely given, undeserved nature of God's grace toward us. The whole meaning of a "gift" is that is it not owed - otherwise it is simply a repayment. "Gift" also implies generosity and a motive of love, from the giver to the recipient. The more I thought about the cross and Christ's act of love, the more I saw it to be a true gift – and the greatest gift ever given. These thoughts birthed the song "The Greatest Gift".

The natural result of accepting this gift is wanting others to experience it too. We see that from the Samaritan woman in Luke 4. As soon as Jesus told her about salvation, she headed straight back to her town and shared the good news. Luke writes that "many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Jesus, because of the woman's testimony" (Luke 4:39).

Once I had written the chorus and first verse I felt like the second verse should have an outward focus. God longs to share the gift of Jesus with every person. The cross is the place where we can find healing and restoration, and his heart aches for everyone to receive it. Remembering what Jesus gave up for us, and the wonder of the cross, inspires me to reach out to others who do not know Him yet. Lets keep praying that many more will accept him – the greatest gift of all.

Now here's the song's lyrics: