Not long ago, we received a notice in the mail—an attention-catching announcement that we had been selected to receive a special invitation to enter one of our nation’s largest sweepstakes. It seems that, for some time, they had been really missing us and our participation in this grand opportunity. Sure enough, a few days later, we received a large, eye-catching envelope with lots of cool stuff inside. There were plenty of colorful stickers and stamps, along with information about the sweepstakes and why we should consider purchasing some of the made-for-television-products available in conjunction with the sweepstakes. Of course, the most attractive feature was the prize money. But, then, in plain print, they disclosed the chances of winning: 1 in 1.7 billion. It hurts my brain to think about those kinds of numbers, so I set aside the envelope and, in a few days, threw it in the trash. People say, “Well, somebody’s got to win and it might as well be me!” But, is it really worth the stamp and the effort of putting it in the mail? What if, for some reason, the chances of winning improved by 1.69 billion to 1 chance in .01 billion, what then? There would still be a much greater chance of getting hit by lightning. So, for that reason, I’m out.
For centuries, God had repeatedly announced, through the prophets, His intention of blessing all nations through His Son, Jesus (Gen. 12:1-3). Many waited with expectation for the coming Messiah. In many ways, the overall message of the Old Testament is “Christ is Coming!” But, Jesus did not arrive in “a large, eye-catching envelope with lots of cool stuff inside.” His coming was not marked by the kind of fluff many of the religious leaders of the day required. Instead, in keeping with prophecy, He was born in a little town called Bethlehem (Mic. 5:2). And, while angels heralded His birth, He was not born in a palace, but in a stable—and for his crib, Mary chose a feeding trough. But, then, the plain print, says, “you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Mt. 1:21). We look for the fine print. What are the chances that He might save us from our sins?
A surprising “all” is found throughout the pages of the New Testament. “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Mt. 11:28). The offer is extended to all, not to just a select few. Our God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4). Quoting Old Testament prophecy, Jesus said, “And they shall all be taught of God.” Then He adds, “Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me” (Jn. 12:45). The invitation of heaven is encapsulated in a single word, “Come.” Near the end of the Bible, in the very last chapter, is the following invitation: “And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost” (Rev. 22:17). What are the chances that I can be saved from my sins? 1 in 1.7 billion? Not at all. In obedient trust, relying on the grace of God and the blood of Jesus Christ, my chances are 1 in 1. Praise God, I’m a winner! Are you?