DEVOTION – DAY 512

Matthew 1:21 “Jesus – The Lord Saves”

Matthew 1:21 “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.”

This verse comes from an account of the impending birth of baby Jesus. Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph. But Mary who was a virgin became pregnant by the work of the Holy Spirit, her engagement to Joseph was threatened. When Joseph found out about her pregnancy, he had planned to divorce her quietly and not bring public disgrace to her. An angel of the Lord intervened and appeared to Joseph in a dream and what the angel told Joseph is recorded for us in Matthew 1:21. As a result, Joseph obeyed God and took Mary to be his wife. Mary’s subsequent birth of baby Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 about the virgin birth of the Messiah. The name Jesus is also significant because it means “The Lord saves” – it accurately looks forward to the work of Jesus on the cross to save His people from their sins. 

As we approach Christmas, we are reminded once again that God loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). God, the Father, sent His Son, Jesus to be born 2,000 years ago. Jesus who was with God from the beginning became incarnate – He took on human flesh and walked this earth for 33.5 years before He died on the cross for our sins. Thus, all who believe in Him as their Lord and Savior will not perish but receive eternal life. This is the true meaning of Christmas – it reminds us of the arrival and birth of God’s best gift to mankind. It is salvation through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

We know two families that love the Christmas season. They love to set up Christmas trees in their living room and they have a family tradition to decorate their trees with Christmas ornaments. They love to exchange Christmas presents and sing Christmas carols. They also love how the malls are decorated for the festive season. They see it as a time of inviting family and friends for a buffet meal with turkey and all its trimmings. But what is missing is Jesus Christ. As unbelievers, they have completely missed the real meaning of Christmas. We have to help these two families to know the true meaning of Christmas. We have invited them to join our Christmas Day services. But they have not accepted our invitation yet. We are praying for them and for many other unbelievers that they may be open to the truth about Christmas, and their need for Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. If they do, Christmas will take on a fresh and more important meaning.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for your love and grace by sending your Son, Jesus Christ to come as the Son of God and Son of Man. Thank you for His work on the cross. Please help us to follow Him always. We pray for the salvation of those who are still unbelievers. We pray this in the great name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. What does Christmas mean to you?
  2. If you are not yet a Christian, will you invite Jesus Christ to come into your life as your Lord and Savior and to help you to be the kind of person that God had created you to be? Read Romans 3:23, Romans 5:8, John 3.16, Romans 10:9-10.
  3. If you are a Christian, how will you celebrate Christmas to thank God for all that He has done for you?
  4. How will you share the true meaning of Christmas to someone this season?