The Lord announces that Israel’s salvation is near and with
a change in status will come a change in names.
Do we see in this that we, the redeemed, those who have received His
salvation, share in this state? You are
a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of
God. We are no longer forsaken or
desolate, we are His treasured possession, He delights in us, rejoices over
us. We are Holy People, the Redeemed of
the Lord, the ones Sought Out, not Forsaken.
Today is a day to rejoice that He knows us and loves us!
Matthew’s version of the conception and birth of Jesus is
incredibly simple, just the facts. Mary conceived by the power of the Holy
Spirit, Joseph apparently didn’t believe her, an angel convinced him her story
was true, he married her, didn’t have relations with her and then she had the
baby and they named Him Jesus. Even the
detail of the name was not Joseph’s prerogative, she will call His Name Jesus. The Name means something, God saves or
Jehovah is salvation. The announcement
made by Isaiah comes to fruition several hundred years later in the form of a
child. That would have been their
expectation, that a child would be born who would grow to be a man and he would
be king and restore the glory of Israel.
No one seemed to care though when Jesus was born except the family, the
shepherds who were told of the birth and the Magi.
Jesus will return and not as a child, but as a mighty
warrior. He will stand out in the army
because the others are wearing pure white robes and His is dipped in
blood. His coming again in power and
glory will be a time of rejoicing for some but for many it will be final
judgment, the fulfillment of the curse of Genesis will be complete and the work
of restoration can begin. We who have
received this great salvation are to go back to the Isaiah passage, “Go
through, go through the gates; prepare the way for the people; build up, build
up the highway; clear it of stones; lift up a signal over the peoples.” That is a mission passage, they are to go
through the gates out of the city and prepare the way for the peoples to come
to the Lord’s city, clearing away any obstacles, smoothing the grade of the
highway so that the climb is not too steep as to discourage anyone undertaking
the journey. The church is sent into the
world for mission and gathered for worship and rejoicing.
Hark! The herald
angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn
King;
Peace on earth, and
mercy mild,
God and sinners
reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations
rise,
Join the triumph of
the skies;
With th’angelic host
proclaim,
“Christ is born in
Bethlehem!”
Hark! the herald
angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn
King!”
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