It started in the Old testament with the children of Israel. God chose Israel. Deuteronomy 7:6-9 "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the LORD loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations." The Lord was truly patient with Israel. They grumbled against the Lord when they were discontent. They even built an idol and said a statue freed them from Egypt. God could have destroyed them but he didn't. He sustained them through the 40 years of the desert. They would disobey Him. God just wanted them to love Him with joy. Deuteronomy 28:47 "Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, because of the abundance of all things," He knew that would not happen until they have a circumcise heart or a new heart. Deuteronomy 30:6 "And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul that you may live." The book of Leviticus points to the consequence of sin through the sacrificial system. It is really fascinating if you want to study it. It is also good to study the book of Hebrews right after that. The rest of the Old testament points to that one who will sit on the throne of David for all eternity (Luke 1:32-33; Revelation 22:16) and is the Great High Priest (Hebrews 7:24-25; 9:24-25) and the Lamb of God that was our sacrifice once and for all. (Isaiah 53; Hebrews 7:27).
This holiday season we will be focusing on the birth of this amazing person - Jesus, the Son of God. The one the whole Old Testament points. Jesus said it clearly that he came first to the children of Israel. When I was little I use to ask my mom, "How much do you love me?" . My kids asked me as well and you would try and show them and finally you make the infinity sign. I had a poster that was to that affect. I had it in my locker at school. The difference is it said "Jesus said, 'This much.' and he stretched out His arms and died." He came to redeem Israel as He had promised throughout all of the Old Testament. Many came to faith in Christ in Israel after Christ rose from the grave. Many Jews are still coming to Christ. I have a friend name Jason. He is a Jew who came to faith in Christ. He calls himself a complete Jew. The best part of this love story is we who are Gentiles were not abandoned or exclude. He sent Paul to be the apostle to the Gentiles to tell US the Good News so that we too can be apart of the promises. (Romans 11:18-19) We have been grafted into the root of the tree that belongs to Israel. We are not less than Israel. We are just a different display of God goodness and grace. Ephesians 2:13- "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ."
Because of God's love for Israel and His covenants with Abraham and David we have been able to see God's faithfulness to His promises and we, Gentiles, are included because we are in the Abrahamic covenant through the blessing of the many nations and peoples. Jesus demonstrated His love by dying on the cross for my sins and yours and giving us His righteousness. He not only redeems those who put their faith and trust in His work on the cross but he sanctifies us. Romans 8:29 He walks through this life with us and promised never to leave us nor forsake us. His love lasts for all eternity. He heals our wounded and broken hearts Psalm 34:18.
The world's offer of "love" especially in today's world is the biggest scam that has been perpetrated on humanity. God's offer of love is the only one that truly satisfies the heart. Marriage is a gift from God, but a spouse will not satisfy the heart's deepest desire nor will children. When we look to our spouse or children to fulfill that need of love we will be disappointed and get frustrated or they become idols that they were never meant to be. Friends are equally a gift from God but even that love will not satisfy the longing of the heart. All of God's gifts are precious and adds brilliance to our lives, but it does not replace our need for Christ. Jesus came to this world 2,000 years ago to seek and save the lost. It is a beautiful thing when Jesus, the Good Shepherd, loves us to finds us, opens our eyes, gives us a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26-27), and we finally come HOME and rest in our Lord & Savior Jesus.