Good Morning Friends,
“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came
about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they
came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because
Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public
disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered
this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of
David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is
conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you
are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their
sins.’” (Matthew 1:18-21)
From the beginning of His life, Jesus’ purpose
was to save us from our sins. His purpose was planned before He was ever born!
His name, Jesus, reflects His purpose. Jesus comes from the Hebrew word
“Joshua” and means “Jehovah is salvation or Savior.” He came to bring salvation
to us.
God had been planning this since before time
and waited until the time was just right. “When the time had fully come, God
sent his Son.” (Galatians 4:4) Peter made the same point, “He was chosen before
the creation of the world.” (1 Peter 1:20)
Sometimes people consider the birth of Jesus as
just a beautiful story of the humble birth of a great man … like Lincoln born
in a log cabin. From God’s perspective, that’s not at all what it is. God knew
what Jesus was here to do. The cross cast its shadow across Jesus’ entire life,
even across the manger! God sent Jesus knowing full well what the world would
do to Him. He knew the mocking and hatred Jesus would get. He knew many would
not listen to Him and the betrayal He would face. He knew the pain, the
torture, and the death that awaited Him.
Knowing what He was coming to, God still sent
Jesus. He did it for you and me. That’s how much He loved, and loves, us.
His, by Grace, Steve
No comments:
Post a Comment