Christ Came to Earth to Write Your Name in Heaven

How is your heart this Christmas Eve? Full of excitement and anticipation for tomorrow morning? Or is it heavy and hurting?

I remember Christmases where I shook every box under the tree, sang carols at the top of my lungs, and struggled to fall asleep the night before Christmas because of excitement (and all the gingerbread and sugar cookies I’d consumed). I also remember walking into December cautiously, not quite sure what Christmas was going to look like. My Dad had just come home from the hospital, and I was reminded that this season isn’t full of happiness for every boy and girl.

Is your heart heavy this Christmas Eve? Is your life marked more by pain and sadness than joy and cheer? Does it feel like there is very little to rejoice in right now?

Maybe you’re sick. Your parents just got divorced. You keep messing things up. You don’t have any friends. You’re lonely. You’re overcome by anxiety. You failed finals. And in the midst of this God has the audacity to say “rejoice always … in everything give thanks” (1Thess. 5:16, 18) and “[I came that My] joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full … and your joy no one will take from you” (John 15:11, 16:22).

Jesus doesn’t expect us to rejoice that we are sick, or lonely, or that our parents keep fighting. Rather He tells us that even when our hurt is overwhelming, we have a real reason to rejoice – “because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20)

Your Name is Written in Heaven

I used to think Jesus meant that we should rejoice because we’ll go to heaven when we die. But as I’ve come to understand the gospel better, I’ve discovered Jesus had something far greater in mind.

Because our names are written in heaven, we have access to God. “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

Because our names are written in heaven, we are sons and daughters of God. And as a good Father, He allows pain into our life “that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:10-11)

Because our names are written in heaven, all of our suffering will one day be over. “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ ” (Revelation 21:4-5)

Because our names are written in heaven, we are loved by the God of the universe with an incomprehensible love. “The Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God.” (John 16:27)

The Deeper Reason for Rejoicing

Maybe your heart is already racing with joy and excitement this Christmas Eve. You got the job you wanted. You started dating your crush. You’ve seen God provide in miraculous ways. You got snow for Christmas.

It’s good for us to give thanks for these things and in these seasons. Scripture tells us “in everything give thanks” (1 Thess. 5:18). But to those of us rejoicing in small miracles, Jesus gives the same exhortation as to those drowning in depression. “Rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20)

Jesus actually spoke those words to guys who were already rejoicing.

Jesus had sent His disciples into the surrounding towns to preach the gospel, heal the sick, and cast out demons. They had watched Jesus perform miracles before but had never healed anyone themselves. So you can imagine the excitement when they returned from their mission successful.

They “returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.’ And He said to them, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven … Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.’ ” (Luke 10:17-20, emphasis added)

Jesus wasn’t telling the disciples to stop being so excited about the miracles. He was reminding them that there is a greater reason to rejoice.

All our miracles and healing, new job and good grades, boyfriend and December snow, are temporary. One day we will get sick and die. Our job will be over and our grades won’t matter. Our boyfriend will disappoint us and our snow will melt. The only joy that never fails and never changes is Jesus Christ and our standing with Him.

If our joy is found in the things God does for us and through us, then as soon as He decides to take those away, our joy will be taken with those things.

This Christmas we need to remember the deeper lasting reason we have to rejoice – the gospel.

The Gospel

Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.

The first Christmas – Jesus entering the world – was announced as a reason for great joy. “I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11)

I believe the gospel is good news and great joy for each of us this Christmas because I believe that Jesus Christ is better than any gift under the tree or any miracle in our lives. And I believe that Christ alone is more than enough to heal our hurting hearts and satisfy our empty souls.  

“All men seek happiness. This is without exception” as Blaise Pascal famously said.

When Jesus came into the world He made happiness possible, even in pain.  “I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11)

God wants us to have permanent, overflowing joy. This joy isn’t dependent on our circumstances or our performance. It’s available to us because our names are written in heaven, and experienced as we allow God to be our life.

This Christmas, think on the gospel and allow God to work in you deep rejoicing that goes above and beyond the snow and lights and tears and loneliness.

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• What is one reason you have to rejoice this Christmas?
• What is one of your favorite Christmas traditions?