Thursday, December 12, 2013

Jesus - The Gift of a Savior for our Sin

But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:20-21)
The name Jesus means “Savior.”  It is the same name as “Joshua” in the Old Testament.  It is given to our Lord because “he saves his people from their sins.”  This is his special office.  He saves them from the guilt of sin, by washing them in his own atoning blood.  He saves them from the dominion of sin, by putting in their hearts the sanctifying Spirit.  He saves them from the presence of sin, when he takes them out of this world to rest with him.  He will save them from all the consequences of sin, when he gives them a glorious body at the last day.

Blessed and holy are Christ’s people!  From sorrow, cross and conflict they are not saved; but they are “saved from sin” for evermore.  They are cleansed from guilt by Christ’s blood.  They are made fit for heaven by Christ’s Spirit.  This is salvation sent from God!

Jesus is a very encouraging name to sinners.  He who is King of kings and Lord of lords might lawfully have taken some more high-sounding title.  But he did not do so.  The rulers of this world have often called themselves Great, Conqueror, Bold, Magnificent, and the like.  The Son of God was content to call himself “Savior.”  Those who desire salvation may draw close to the Father with boldness, and have access with confidence through Christ.  It is His office and His delight to show mercy.  For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.  John 3:17

Jesus is a name which is especially sweet and precious to believers.  It has given them what money cannot buy, an inner peace.  It has eased their weary consciences, and given rest to their heavy hearts.  The Song of Songs speaks of the experience of many, when it says, Your name is like perfume poured out. Song of Songs 1:3   Happy is the person who trusts not merely in vague notions of God’s mercy and goodness, but in the name of Jesus.

We pray in His name, we call forth power in His name, we find our hope in the name of the Risen Lord Jesus!  It is the name bestowed by the Father upon His Son.  For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11

Jesus – He is still the reason for the season!

Scripture to Claim:

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. (Colossians 3:17)

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