This week’s devotions are based upon Jem’s message from Matthew 1:18-25.
“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.” (Matthew 1:21)
Names mean a lot in the Bible. Names are given to express desire for the person’s character and destiny. When names are given by God, we need to pay attention. Joseph was commanded to name Him Jesus.
THE NAME OF JESUS
The name ‘Jesus’ encapsulates every aspect of the Christian faith. Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua which means “Yahweh is salvation” or ‘Yahweh saves’.
HE WILL REDEEM
The angel explains Jesus’ mission by quoting from a Psalm,
‘O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption. And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.’ (Psalm 130:7-8).
The Jewish nation were expecting there Messiah. Many thought of His redemption as being along the lines of Joshua who was Moses’ successor; they expected redemption from foreign rule. Their vision of redemption was too small! Jesus’ name means redemption and end to every effect of sin in creation!
JESUS’ NAME MEANS TOTAL VICTORY
i) Redemption From personal guilt
Jesus has saved you from the guilt of your sin. You have broken God’s Law. You and I have failed to love Him and serve Him in holiness. Jesus has saved us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us!
ii) Redemption From slavery to sin
Jesus has freed us from slavery to sin. In Christ, the new creation has begun. Sanctification is growing in your life. Addictions and character issues are being chiselled by God.
iii) Redemption of a people for Himself
Jesus has united us to His universal church. Israel were a foreshadowing of how God chooses a people for Himself from the nations. We, along will all of God’s people throughout history, will reign in the earth.
iv) The Restoration all of creation
Jesus’ perfect obedience and death for sin is undoing all that Adam’s disobedience wrought in creation. All things will be restored. We will live in a new heavens and a new earth.
Like Joseph, may we 'give him the name Jesus' . Let’s give Him this great name in our hearts.
OVER TO YOU - PRAY AND WORSHIP OUT OF THE BIBLE
I’ve made a few comments. However, it’s more important that you engage with the text yourself. Take a moment to pray and listen to God’s voice out of today’s text.
“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.” (Matthew 1:21)
I find it helpful to use the following questions which are based upon The Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9-13).
1. Praise - What does this text teach me about God? What can I praise Him for?
2. Petitions - What does this teach me about His will for me and others? What could I pray for from this text? This is a good time to pray for our non-believing. friends. It’s good to ask, Is the Holy Spirit leading me in any specific response?
3. Peace-making - Is the Holy Spirit convicting me of sin for which I need forgiveness? Do I need to forgive others?
4. Protection - Ask for God’s protection generally and for any specific areas of vulnerability. Am I believing lies regarding the truths in this text?
COMMUNITY GROUP NOTES AND STUDY
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
How has God spoken to you from the Bible this week?
3. Recap of Sunday's message - please share in your group
HAVE I GOT NEWS FOR YOU!
On Sunday, we continued with our Christmas themed messages. We looked at the message of God to Joseph.
'This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 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.” All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.' (Matthew 1: 18 - 25 )