God’s Indescribable Gift

We are nearing the end of the gift-giving season, but before we do, I’d like us to give some consideration to the world’s greatest gift, the gift of God’s Son. Over the last several weeks, millions of people have spent millions of dollars on presents. They have purchased gifts for family, friends, co-workers, and maybe have even bought gifts for people they don’t even know or necessarily like. But, among all the gift-giving, there is one Gift that exceeds them all. The indescribable gift of Jesus the Christ. 

As December 25^th drew closer and I began prepping for the annual “obligatory” Christmas message, I begin thinking about gifts and gift-giving, and my curiosity got the best of me. I started doing some online digging about the varied kinds of presents that have been given throughout history. As you know, there are many kinds of gifts. Gag gifts, sentimental gifts, birthday and anniversary gifts, useful and practical gifts and useless or unwanted gifts. As I began researching, I also came across some very extravagant gifts. 

For example, in 2013 the world champion boxer, Mike Tyson, gifted his (then) wife a 24-karat solid gold bathtub. The tub was valued at just over $2 million. In 2008, Indian business tycoon Anil Ambani bought his wife, Tina, a superyacht named “Tian”. The yacht was nicknamed “the Rolls Royce of the waters,” and made global headlines as it was one of the most expensive luxury yachts in the world, reportedly worth $84 million.And something I did not know, is that the famous Taj Mahal was built as a gift to the wife of the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan. In today’s dollars, the construction cost is estimated at $827 million. He certainly must have loved her! 

To switch gears a little from the flamboyant to the peculiar: Good Housekeeping magazine composed a list of 40 of the strangest gifts currently available on Amazon. On the list were such interesting items as; plastic fingertip covers for people who like to eat Cheetos, or the like, but don’t want their fingers covered in orange cheese dust. Also on the list of curious gifts was the “Shock-Tato.” This plaything takes the old hotpotato game to an entirely new level. The Shock-Tato is a small gadget shaped like a russet potato, that has electrodes on the outside that emit an electrical shock to the person who happens to be holding it when the music stops. The party novelty comes with a warning label which reads; “This product emits an electric shock and may interfere with electrical devices such as pacemakers. Do not play/use if you suspect either you or any player/user could suffer from epilepsy, a heart condition, any similar or related illness, or if you are pregnant.” This is, no doubt, pertinent information for those who may find that gadget stuffed in their stocking! 

The expensive and odd gift-list goes on, but if we think about gift-giving from yet another perspective, most everyone of us have received some very memorable gifts in our lives. These may not be pricy or peculiar but they have value to us. Whether it is a family heirloom or some small trinket our children gave (or made) us when they were young, we all have gifts that have sentimental value to us. Before my grandfather passed, he gave me two of his harmonicas. They’re not really worth anything, and one of them is really beaten up. But they are the only thing of his I still have, so I consider them a treasure. And, as I have mentioned before, when my mother passed, the one thing I wanted was her rocking chair. My father agreed to let me have it, and now her once favorite resting and rocking place sits in our living room, and is a cherished gift. Also, throughout our home we have several knick-knacks, keepsakes, and pieces of art that were given to us from church members who we have ministered to over the years. Again, they have no real worth, at least in dollars and cents, but they mean a lot to our family. 

But, I said all that to say this … there is NO GIFT as precious as the gift of God’s Son. The gift of Christ is the most valuable gift ever given. The gift of Christ is the most unique gift ever given. And the gift of Christ is the most treasured gift ever given. This gift is so great, it cannot be described with words! Which is why 2 Corinthians 9:15 states, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” The gift of Jesus is inexpressible, indescribable, and beyond mortal words. In fact, the underlying compound-Greek word translated as indescribable, quite literally means, “that which cannot be expounded in full.” Simply stated, the Apostle is telling us, God’s Son and the gift of salvation that He brings, is far beyond what finite tongues can tell. Neither the language of men or angels can adequately extol the majesty and magnificence of God’s gift to mankind. This gift of Jesus is the most incredible, sacrificial, generous, and superlative gift ever given in the history of time! Nothing else is even comparable. 

Of far greater worth than golden tubs, or yachts, or even the Taj Mahal, is the gift of forgiving grace found in the finished work of Christ. Far more unique than anything any retailer sells, is the gift of God’s Only begotten Son. And even more treasured than antique harmonicas and Amish rocking chairs, is the gift of Jesus the Christ.

Have you received this gift? If not, why not? Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” This is the greatest gift in all the world, why would anyone not receive this glorious gift? If you have received this gift, have you shared Him with others? This is one gift you can give away, and only become richer for it.

Amid all the gift-giving this holiday season, dear Christian, be sure to take time to give God thanks for His indescribable gift!