December 15 – It Was Because

“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 (NASB
“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High;” - Luke 1:31-32a (NASB)
“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:21 (NASB)

The birth of Jesus was known before God created the earth and humans. During this season, we sing about the message which the angels told to the shepherds near Bethlehem the night Jesus was born.  But today's verses tell us that before that, God predicted through His prophet Isaiah the birth of the “Son of God.” God had sent the angel Gabriel with the message about the birth and name of Jesus to Mary who was chosen to be His mother. Gabriel made a visit later to Joseph who was to be Mary's husband. Gabriel revealed why God had chosen the name Jesus for the child who was to be born.  It was because He would save His people from their sins. The prophecy of Isaiah is repeated in Matthew 1:23. These messages, given to the world before the child was born, are important to us. Jesus was coming in order to be our Savior. We should rejoice today that God sent His Son to save us. It was an important message given before He came.  It is just as important today. God promised to provide a way for us to be saved and Jesus is that Way.

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December 9 – Promises in His Name

““Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”” Matthew 1:23 (NASB) 

Yesterday we considered the importance and source of the name given to the baby born to the Virgin Mary.  The meaning of the name of Jesus is significant.  But long before that another name was predicted for Jesus in the writings of the prophet Isaiah.  The Apostle Matthew, when he recorded the Gospel by his name, quoted the Isaiah passage.  This name is different from the name Jesus which was his name and what all people called him by.  We have no recorded time that anyone, during his ministry on earth actually called him Immanuel.  It was an important name that means “God with us,” and it expresses an important truth about Him.   Jesus is the one who is with us all the time.  Because we believe Jesus is God the Son we are thrilled to know that Immanuel is a promise from God that the Son born to the virgin Mary was God's promise to always be with us.  God the Savior is with us all the time.  He will never leave us, we can trust His promise revealed in His name, Immanuel*.  (There are nearly 200 names/titles given to Jesus in the New Testament**)

*Immanuel is the same name that is sometimes rendered Emanuel

** Names of Jesus in the New Testament

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