by Jerry Senn
“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (NASV). “Let us thank God for his priceless gift” (TEV). “Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift” (KJV). “Thanks be to God for his gift that is too wonderful for words” (NCV).
Many years ago Joan London of “Good Morning, America” featured some gift ideas that might be called indescribable. They were extraordinary gifts that some might include on their Christmas list.
One was a Jaguar 220 (listed with an $80,000 deposit). Then when it was delivered carried a balance of $507,000. They made only 250 of them that year.
Another on her list was a $300,000 gold and silver toilet seat inlaid with precious stones. Of course, there were cheaper gifts for those who have everything: an $18,000 frisbee, a $10,000 yoyo, a $12,000 mousetrap, and even a $27,000 pair of sunglasses.
Such gifts may stagger the imagination but they are not indescribable — silly to some but maybe extremely appealing to others. However none on this list nor any others like them are “upspeakable,” “priceless,” or “too wonderful for words.”
Only God’s own beloved Son fits those expressions of Paul. Jesus is such a gift, “so amazing, to divine” his value to believers will “blow us away” when received by genuine trust and thanksgiving.
Paul wrote of Jesus, who “came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim 1:15). He is “God with us” (Emmanuel). “In him all the fullness of the godhead dwells bodily” (Col 2:9).
With this in mind, Paul by inspiration wrote: “When we were unable to help ourselves, at the moment of our need, Christ died for us, although we were living against God. Very few people will die for someone else. Although perhaps for a good person someone might possibly die. But God shows his great love for us this way: Christ died for us while we were still sinners” (Rom 5:6-8).
Only Jesus is the gift too wonderful for words.