A Christmas Thought

I was thinking today about the story in Numbers 11. That's the chapter where we we read about the Israelites complaining because all they have to eat is manna. Manna was that free bread that God gave to Israel every day. It had to be good stuff. In fact, the description of it (v.8 "And the taste of it was like the taste of cakes baked with oil.") always makes me think of Krispy Kreme donuts. Nevertheless, the Israelites wanted meat. So God said He would give them meat. In fact, God said He would give them so much meat that it would come out of their nostrils (verse 20 - look it up if you think I'm exaggerating). And God did send them an abundance of meat in the form of quails. But, just as the people started to scarf down the Kentucky Fried Quail, God sent a deadly plague. They buried the people who died and they called the place Kibroth-hattaavah which means, "the graves of the greedy."

I see a parallel between Numbers 11 and the American experience of Christmas. The manna is a picture of Christ. Christ is the true bread from heaven (John 3: 32). John 3:35 says, "Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall not thirst.' " We can find complete satisfaction in Christ. He is the bread of heaven sent from God. That's what we should be celebrating at this time. Unfortunately that's not enough for most people. They want the stuff, not the bread that God has given. Not that we shouldn't give gifts, that's not the point. The point is are we celebrating Christ or are we really just lusting after the meat (flesh)? What's going to characterize your Christmas - enjoying the free, satisfying bread of heaven or digging the graves of greediness?

Let us rejoice in the free gift of our Savior. Let's find our satisfaction in Him. Let's learn to be thankful for what we do have, not fuss about what we don't have. Numbers 11 is there as a reminder to us of what happens when we are greedy. Let's learn the lesson and glorify our Lord this Christmas.