“And you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” —Matthew 1:21
Jesus means “Jehovah is salvation” and that is why Joseph must call Him Jesus for He is the One who shall save His people from their sins. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). And we all need to be saved because we all have revolted from God and broken all His commandments, every one of us! The Apostle Paul declares in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Many people deceive themselves into thinking they are pretty good but the Bible is clear, “There is none righteous, no not even one; there’s none who understands, none who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is none who does good, not even one” (Romans 3:10-12). But how often do you think about your many sins? How often do you humble yourself in repentance before God?
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us” (Matt. 1:23). Immanuel demonstrates God’s love toward sinners in that He put all the sins and judgment of every believer upon His own Son in our flesh. Do you meditate upon the glorious truth that Christ was born to take upon Himself our flesh and blood in order that He might bear our sins and wash us in His own blood? “Herein is the love of God that God gave His only begotten Son to be the propitiation [covering] for our sins” (1 John 4:10). You see, God’s love was manifested for all to see when He took His only begotten Son, the One who knew no sin and lived perfectly in harmony with the Father from all eternity, and He sent Him into the world on a mission to live and die for sinners.
Many people say things like, “How can a loving God allow such evil things in this world? Does God love me? Why do I suffer? Where is the love of God?” Well, John says God’s love is manifested for all to see in the punishment of His Son on the cross for sinners. Therefore, do not ever say, “Where is God’s love!” Look to the cross of Christ! God’s love is made clear for everyone to see in the cross of Christ. Look to Immanuel. He is God with us, our Savior. He is the only One who can save and preserve us. He knows our sorrows and loneliness, fear, and pain, and He can comfort us with grace sufficient for all our needs. So, when your conscience plagues you because of your sins remember the blessed name, Immanuel. In the name Immanuel, we know God loves, forgives, and will preserve His people to the end.
Do you know Immanuel by true faith? Has He redeemed you from all your sin and misery? Do you demonstrate that you are one who is forgiven by forgiving others and living a life of thanksgiving to God? If so, then fear not. Immanuel, God with us, will never leave you nor forsake you. He is the only answer to life, death, and everything in between. “What is your only comfort in life and in death? That I, with body and soul, both in life and in death, am not my own, but belong to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ…” (Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 1) That is our joy and peace today and always as we remember the birth of our Savior, Immanuel, God with us!
Christmas Day Devotional: December 25, 2020
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry