The gift of God – it’s grace that unites us all
by Maria Rudolph
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For it is by grace you have been saved – through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8).
Read Ephesians 2:1–10
I’ve heard that some people count down to Christmas all year long. Today, 25 March, is celebrated as the Annunciation. It is the day of commemorating the announcement made by the angel to the Virgin Mary that she would conceive and bear Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
The Holy Spirit would come upon Mary, and the Messiah would start to form and develop in her womb. Knowing that a pregnancy usually takes nine months, it must mean that Christmas, the birthday of Jesus, is nine months from today!
Although it may seem a bit over the top that some people get so excited about Christmas that they already start counting down to it now, in March (!), we have every reason to rejoice.
Ephesians 2:1,2,4,5 says:
You were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.
This grace began when an ordinary woman was chosen to bear the Saviour of the world. This grace continued when Jesus taught ordinary people and healed, touched and restored the lost and broken.
This grace of God hung on the cross, where the wrath of God that was meant for us was poured out on innocent Jesus. Even while every follower abandoned him and the crowds cried ‘Crucify him’, Jesus defeated death and the devil and went to sit at the right hand of God in glory, so we have a restored relationship and access to God’s goodness and love forever.
This grace is God’s gift to us. Planned by God from the beginning, the Annunciation set this plan in motion. Today, nine months out from Christmas, is a great occasion to take a moment to give thanks for the greatest gift: Jesus. The grace of God has come to make us ‘God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do’ (Ephesians 2:10).
Loving God, you sent your Son, Jesus, to redeem this world and all who put their faith in him. Jesus came and grew in Mary’s womb, was born by her in a stable far from home and grew up and ministered among ordinary people. Thank you for your grace and mercy. Help me to live a life that honours your great love and sacrifice. Guide me today to serve you in the way you have intended for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Maria serves at St John’s Lutheran Church in Perth, Western Australia. She is blessed with her pastor husband, Michael, who serves at Concordia Lutheran Church, Duncraig. With God’s help, they navigate ministry across two parishes and life at home with two beautiful high schoolers and one amazing boy in primary school. Pastor Maria also serves the Lutheran Church on the Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations.
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