This is an excerpt from Beth Moore’s book “Breaking Free”.  The picture she paints is so beautiful that trying to put it into my own words would take away from the beautiful imagery. 

Psalm 127:3-4 says that “sons are a heritage form the Lord, like arrows in the hands of a warrior.”  We know from John 3:16 that Jesus is God’s only begotten Son.  John 3:17 tells us God gave His Son for the salvation of people by sending Him into the world. 

You see, God only had one arrow in His quiver.  The most perfect arrow ever to exist, a masterpiece, priceless to Him.  Cherished for above all the host of heaven.  Nothing could compare.  His only heritage.  His only Son.  But as God looked on a lost world- desperate and needy and in the clutches of the enemy-His heart was overwhelmed.  Though they had sinned miserably against Him and few sought Him, God had created them in love and could not love them less.

Love reached sacrificially into the quiver and pulled for the solitary arrow.  The quiver would now be empty, His cherished arrow in the hands of hateful men.  Yes, God so loved the world; but God also loved His only begotten Son with in expressible, divine affection.  The divine dilemma: two loves.  And one would demand the sacrifice of the other.  He positioned the weapon, pulled back the bow, steadied His grip, aimed straight for the heart: “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger (Luke 2:7).

I think this passage is so appropriate as we celebrate this season of Christ’s birth.  It’s great to remember the events of Christ’s birth; to marvel at the fact that he was born of a virgin, laid a manger because his parents were not wealthy, and a God sized star shone above the place of his birth.  But let us not forget why God sent His only begotten son.  “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14)….”He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins--and not only our sins but the sins of all the world ”(1 John 2:2).  Jesus was born to die, for OUR sins.  He lived a perfect life.  Hard to imagine right?  I can’t stop sinning, he never started!  I deserve death for my sins, but He sacrificed His life so I wouldn't have to suffer for eternity.  In the words of Beth Moore “Oh what unfathomable love.  What a sacrifice.  All who will lower their shields of unbelief and let the arrow penetrate shall be saved.”

I don’t know if you’re feeling what I’m feeling right now, but I've had to stop, picture, meditate and respond to God.