Have you ever had a candy cane? If not, have you at least seen one? I'm sure you have. Besides the delicious sweet and slightly spicy treat that we get every Christmas season, there is actually a deeper meaning to the famous Candy Cane. First, I want you to look at the colors. Red and White stripes, right? Well, what that means is Jesus's red blood washed our sins as white as snow. Now, if you turn the candy cane upside down, its shaped like a "J"! That J stands for, would you guess it, Jesus! I'm not making this up, trust me. Now you see, even the candy industry has taken away the true meaning of Christmas.
Today's Bible reading comes from Isaiah 1:15-20
The main verse I want to focus on today is the second half of verse 18. It puts the candy cane story into a biblical perspective for all who don't know what it is. If Jesus didn't die for us, our sins would be red. I know this is starting to sound like an Easter message but Easter wouldn't exist without Christmas so just bear with me. Jesus could have killed all those men with a snap of His finger and could have jumped off the cross unharmed but He didn't because He was selfless and wanted to save the world rather than save Himself. The world would be a living hell if He was selfish. Not that it already isn't, but it would be much worse than it is now.
As I close out this message, I challenge you to get a plain old package of candy canes and hand out all 12 to strangers and tell them the same story I just told you and give them the bible verse too. It will bless their day unless they say "bah, humbug." I hope you accept this challenge and if you do, please tell me either in the comments section or shoot me an email at alexvanderspek@gmail.com
Until Next Time, Alex
Today's Bible reading comes from Isaiah 1:15-20
15 When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. 16 “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, 17 Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow. 18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; 20 But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword”; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
15 15 15
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