Already as a child, Jesus' saving work had begun. His entire life, he served as our subsitute, perfectly obeying God's Law. Just think of how we often neglect the study of God's Word. Then look at twelve-year-old Jesus, eager to be in the temple learning more about Scripture. However, he would need to do more than be our substitute. Eventually he would lay that perfect life down as the sacrifice for our sin.

The twelve days of Christmas are over. Likewise, our worship series—What Child Is This—comes to an end today with the Festival of the Epiphany, a celebration of the the first time non-Jewish believers worshiped the newborn Savior. They were guided by a special light in the sky to the child who would be a light for all people. We live in a world where sin can divide people along so many lines: ethnicity and race, the rich and the poor, red states and blue states, etc. The only dividing line Jesus cares about is the one that separated sinful mankind from a holy God. By his death and resurrection, he removed that line and united all believers into one Kingdom. For that, we offer him our finest gifts.