Romans 6:15-23

At Christmas, we rightly celebrate the gift of Jesus with joy and thanksgiving. Yet it’s worth noting how many in Jesus’ day did not receive him with joy and thanksgiving. As John noted in his gospel, “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him” (John 1:11). In fact, more than merely ignoring Jesus, many rejected him to his face and even plotted to kill him. In reality, Jesus was the gift that many didn’t want, usually because he demanded too much or because he didn’t do what people expected or because he claimed too much authority for himself.