In the movie Indiana Jones: The Last Crusade, Indiana Jones is searching for the “Holy Grail,” an infamous cup said to give immortality to those who drink from it.
Immortality is just one of many things people clamor after in this life. Others include wealth, possessions, good looks, health, a spouse, the perfect home, the ideal job or the next gadget. None of these are intrinsically wrong, but rarely do they alone satisfy.
American culture has a slight obsession with receiving. Every Black Friday (except 2020) we are dismayed by videos of fights breaking out over toys and people being trampled for flat-screen-TV’s. Of course, there is nothing wrong with saving money by finding a good deal (peacefully). Black Friday is simply a micro chasm of our obsession with receiving.
Never Satisfied
Every person can agree that we long to have purpose, joy and peace. People long to be content, but how a person achieves contentment is widely debated. The size of the self-help section in Barnes & Noble testifies to this fact.
Some say it’s inner peace, some say fulfillment in your job, some say independence, while others look to possessions. Too often achieving these things only anesthetizes our discontentment without lasting effect. Most likely after a few days or weeks of enjoying our new toy or situation, we return to wanting more.
The Holy Grail
But what if there is a gift that can make us fully content? What if there is a present that can give us joy in the midst of sorrow, peace despite our failures and hope beyond our circumstances?
Don’t be fooled by its wrapping paper. Yes, Jesus was born to a poor woman yet to be married. Yes, he was laid in a feeding trough for animals. Yes, he was unimpressive to look at. And yes, he died a criminal’s death on a gruesome cross. Yet, we need to be careful how we make judgments about a gift as important as this one.
The gift of Jesus doesn’t come wrapped appealingly. Jesus said, “If anyone would follow me let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” This invitation isn’t what most businesses would choose today to stir up maniacal obsession over their brand.
But read the 5-star reviews:
“I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance, and need.”
Paul (Philippians 4:11)
“Whom have I in heaven but you and there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you, my strength and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
David (Psalm 73:24-25)
“Our hearts are restless, until they find their rest in him.”
Augustine (Confessions)
Many who receive this gift have little else, and yet they have everything.
Everyone can afford this gift, but few will receive it. Some need to hear about it for the first time, some need to be reminded of it. Presents are a blessing and fun to give, but there’s only one gift that will take away our thirst.
Mike McGregor
Mike McGregor (MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary) is Director of College Ministry at First Baptist Church in Durham, N.C. You can follow him on Twitter at @m5mcgregor.
