What Name Have You Given Jesus?

Daily Reading: Matthew 1

Scripture Focus: She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1.21)

Devotional Thought: In the first chapter of Matthew, we read a bit of "The Christmas Story."  Joseph, Jesus' step-father, was a bit reluctant to take Mary as his wife.  When he discovered that she was pregnant and knowing the child was not his, he was ready to break off the engagement.  God intervened, however, changing Joseph’s plans.  He told Joseph that the child was conceived by the Spirit of God and to go ahead and marry her.  Furthermore, God said, I want you to name him Jesus because he will save his people from their sins. 

Jesus.  “God saves.”  People love the shepherds, the angels, and the little Baby with his parents in the manger stall in the story about Christmas.  But, what is this business of God saving people?  Who needs to be saved?  Sin and the resulting need of salvation have become antiquated concepts.  We don't talk about it anymore.  Oh, we may talk about crime or addiction, poor choices or upbringing, racism or systemic evil.  Political correctness even allows for the existence of morally repugnant and totally unacceptable behavior.  But, the concept of sin requires the acceptance of a God who judges sin.  Our modern sensitivities cry, "Anathema!"

Yet, the evidence indicates that there is a God and that he has standards of righteousness.  Further our personal experience and observation verify that we are all sinners.  So, we do need saved!  In order to be saved, however, we must “give him the name Jesus” – e.g. confess that we are sinners in need of forgiveness.

Have you given him the name Jesus – God saves – in your heart?

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, holy is your name.  May your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 79.1-7

1 O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple; they have laid Jerusalem in ruins.

2 They have given the bodies of your servants to the birds of the heavens for food, the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth.

3 They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there was no one to bury them.

4 We have become a taunt to our neighbors, mocked and derided by those around us.

5 How long, O LORD? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire?

6 Pour out your anger on the nations that do not know you, and on the kingdoms that do not call upon your name!

7 For they have devoured Jacob and laid waste his habitation.