young man drove into a public parking area one afternoon. He backed into a
spot, and parked his car. He came out, locked it and ran across the road to
a fast food restaurant. Barely five minutes after he left, a parking
attendant came to inspect cars to ensure that they had their "paid parking"
receipt displayed on their dashboard. He inspected the first row of cars and
did not find any guilty driver. He overlooked a car with passengers in it
and then moved on to the row of cars facing the road. He walked slowly and
peered more intently. Then he stopped and punched in some details into his
hand held machine! The young man's car was the guilty one!
The parking
attendant placed a "Parking Ticket" on the front windscreen! That young
would have to pay the fee or appear in court! Getting a traffic ticket or
parking ticket shows that you are guilty of an offence. A penalty is the
price we have to pay for an offence. We certainly have instances where we
have been found guilty.
Sin is an offence against God. And the penalty or wages of Sin is death!
But we have found mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Because He
came we have been pardoned of our Sins. The "guilty ticket" is no longer
valid because He has paid the price for us. What a relieve it is to know
that you are no longer guilty, but free! Freedom from the penalty of Sin is
worth celebrating this festive season�Oh Joy to the world�
Christmas
is a season that reminds us of God's plan to pardon our Sins. We deserved
the penalty for our offences. But Christmas reveals God's mercy. It reveals
His love for us while we were still living in Sin. He sent Jesus into the
world to take our punishment so that we can be free. He has taken every
"Guilty ticket."
Christmas is a time when we celebrate the reason why Jesus
came. It is a time to ask ourselves if we have received the one who can set
us free. He is more than a baby born and wrapped in a manger�He is The
Saviour and The Redeemer. The one who has the power to say�"Your Sins are
forgiven!" Not just forgiven, but also forgotten! Oh, Amazing grace�