December 10
“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 1:21
In his appearance to Joseph, the angel reveals that Jesus will save people from their sins. This is in contrast to the normal view of the Messiah of the time. In fact, everyone that Jesus ran into in his ministry were expecting him to save them from Rome. To re-establish Israel as a nation. Jesus’ mission was way bigger than that though. He didn’t come to save us from the temporary physical suffering, but the eternal separation from God. He came to free us from the bondage of sin that leads to death. Matthew’s gospel, written with the intention of reaching his fellow Jewish people, makes it clear from the beginning to the end. Jesus won when he died and paid the price for our sins and then rose up from the grave. He was born to give us eternal life!
God, thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you that you came to save me from my sins, to rescue me from condemnation and that you give me eternal life. Help me to keep my eyes on you as my hope and salvation! Amen
Brian and Aubrey have a son (Maverick) and a daughter on the way (Laurel). Brian is the Youth Pastor at Grace while Aubrey is a stay at home mom. Please pray for the life changes we will be experiencing when Laurel arrives in January!