The Greatest

Every Christmas, we’re guaranteed to see at least one of the many film versions of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. It’s an absolute classic, quintessentially Dickensian, and its depiction of a mean and miserly heart turned into one of sympathy and love touches something within us all. But if we want to learn the real meaning of both Christmas and love, we should turn to a contemporary of Dickens: Sir James Young Simpson (1811-1870).

Born in Bathgate, central Scotland, Simpson seemed destined for greatness from a young age, completing his medical studies aged just eighteen. He is best known today as the first surgeon to use chloroform as an anaesthetic, but in his day, he was well known for his Christian faith. His understanding of the gospel meant that he understood why Paul wrote that love is “the greatest”. Today’s chapter discusses his testimony, which you can read here.

Sinclair writes, “In the incarnation the Son of God became ‘a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief’ (Isaiah 53:5). But we are not justified, or adopted into God’s family, or sanctified, or glorified simply because the Son of God shared our flesh and our sorrows. Yes, that means he can sympathise with us on our weakness because he experienced it. But he came to accomplish much more—something we could never do for ourselves—he came to die for us. Only when we can say, ‘He was wounded for [my] transgressions’ have we grasped the meaning of the gospel and the wonder of love.”

This is what Sir James Young Simpson saw clearly, and what we should never forget on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Jesus, the Son of God, was born for us so he could die for us. When we see that, we begin to understand the love that came down at Christmas and which lives in our hearts today.

Today, as we come to the end of our time in 1 Corinthians 13, look back over the whole chapter. Which description of love have you been particularly struck by? What difference does it make to know that this is how Christ has loved you? Praise God for his love in sending Jesus to live and die for you, and pray for your heart to be filled with love for others.

Love Came Down at Christmas by Sinclair B. Ferguson (published by The Good Book Company) available to buy at Eden Christian Bookstore or Amazon.