Fall on Your Knees

Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D. Leading the Way

At Christmas, we celebrate the fulfillment of cherished prophecies about the coming Messiah—centuries of longing culminating in the advent of a baby King, the Rock of Ages lying in a manger. Jesus came from heaven to earth, walked among us in our sinful world, and lived a sinless life. He chose to bear our sins and gave His life to pay for them so that through Him we will not be condemned.

But behind all the reasons why Jesus came from heaven is His ultimate motive for doing so. Jesus came from heaven to earth to rescue us because He loves us.

Read Hebrews 12:2. God tells us that Jesus endured the cross because of the “joy set before him.” It was His joy to become the cure for your sickness of sin and to set you free. It was His joy to shipwreck and dissolve the chains of sin that Satan had placed upon you. It was His joy to raise you up with Him to live a life fully alive to God. It was His joy to set you free to be close to Him now and for all time.

The much-loved Christmas song “O Holy Night” shines more insight into why Jesus left heaven:

Long lay the world in sin and error pining

‘Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

“And the soul felt its worth.” Jesus left heaven to rescue you because you are of great worth to Him. God loves you so much that He gave His very life so that you could be with Him forever.

That is the ultimate reason why Jesus came from heaven. His love for you drove Him from heaven to earth to die and be raised to life to set you free. You are deeply loved by the God of the universe.

How are we to respond to the greatest act of love in history? The end of the song provides the answer: Christ’s sacrifice is a call for us to fall on our knees in surrender, worship, and adoration.

As you reflect on why Jesus came from heaven, consider how God may be inviting you to respond to Him.

This Christmas, in the midst of the energy and excitement of the season, may your soul feel its worth, and may all that is within you praise His holy name. Merry Christmas.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for setting me free and raising me up to live abundantly in You. Thank You for the love that drove Your Son to the cross. You are worthy of all worship, and I humbly surrender all to You! I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon Why Did Jesus Come from Heaven?: LISTEN NOW | WATCH NOW

Check out more from Dr. Michael Youssef, here!

About The Author

Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Even before he was born, it is clear that God had a vision for Michael Youssef. His mother was in poor health when she became pregnant with Michael, and because his life was in danger at the time of birth, the doctor recommended terminating the pregnancy. An abortion was scheduled. But God intervened and sent the family pastor to reassure them that God was involved in this pregnancy. He told them not to be afraid and that the child would be "born to serve the Lord." Michael's parents accepted the pastor's message as a message from God and obeyed. His mother gave birth, and lived to see him give his life to the Lord at the age of sixteen.


Believing that God had called him out of Egypt, Michael sought an exit visa in a time in which no university student was allowed to have a passport or leave the country. God intervened again, and miraculously he managed to acquire a visa. He immigrated to Australia, where he studied at Moore Theological College in Sydney, was ordained as a pastor, and met Elizabeth who became his wife.


The Youssefs came to America in 1977, and in 1978 Michael received a master's degree in theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. Then he earned a doctorate in social anthropology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael served nearly ten years in the Haggai Institute, traveling around the world more than 32 times, teaching courses in evangelism and leadership. He rose to the position of Managing Director at the age of 31 years. The family settled in Atlanta, and in 1984, Michael became a citizen of the United States, making his dream of many years come true.


He founded The Church of The Apostles in 1987 with fewer than 40 adults with the mission of "Equipping the Saints and Searching for the Lost". The church has since grown to be a congregation of over 3,000 people today. This church has driven the international ministry of Leading the Way. While it is heard by millions at home and abroad, behind every message preached through radio waves, is the heart of a pastor, willing to nurture and care for these people. Clearly God has uniquely equipped Dr. Youssef to speak to a global audience. The path he has taken has given him an understanding and firm grasp of the Scriptures that transcend cultures. He preaches, teaches and calls with a sincere, based on the authority of the inerrant, inspired Word of God. With his personal knowledge of the Holy Land, its history and culture, Dr. Michael Youssef transmits life to listeners all over the world.

More Posts by Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D.:

  1. Asking for God’s Vision
  2. Praying the Will of God
  3. He Can Open Your Eyes
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