Matthew 1:18-25
July Memory Verse: But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
Read: Matthew 1:18-25
What we read in our passage today, people had been waiting centuries for. I know we hear this story every year around Christmas time, and maybe today it seemed mundane reading something that you have heard about several times. But let me provoke you to rejoice about what you got the chance to read. GOD TOOK ON THE FORM OF A HUMAN SO THAT HE MIGHT SAVE US FROM OUR SINS. That is what we got to read about!!
As I mentioned, people had been waiting centuries for this (ever since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden). God says to Satan in Genesis 3:15, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heal.” God had promised that someday Satan would be crushed forever.
After God promised this, people began looking for the Savior to come, but none ever measured up to the standard. Eve thought Cain would bring deliverance (Gen. 4:1), but he killed his brother. People thought David was the one, yet he committed adultery and murder. People thought Solomon would be the one since he was building God’s house, yet he lusted after women.
You can imagine how hopeful yet disappointed each generation was. There was always the thought, “Maybe this one could be the Savior”, and over and over again, it was not.
Until this moment. This moment, the Savior was born. Jesus. Immanuel. God with us. The one to take away the sins of the world (v. 21b).
My plea for you today is to rejoice. I want you to rejoice in two things:
1. God kept His promise to send a Savior.
2. We can know the Savior and have a personal relationship with Him.
By: Brice Stockton
Read: Matthew 1:18-25
What we read in our passage today, people had been waiting centuries for. I know we hear this story every year around Christmas time, and maybe today it seemed mundane reading something that you have heard about several times. But let me provoke you to rejoice about what you got the chance to read. GOD TOOK ON THE FORM OF A HUMAN SO THAT HE MIGHT SAVE US FROM OUR SINS. That is what we got to read about!!
As I mentioned, people had been waiting centuries for this (ever since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden). God says to Satan in Genesis 3:15, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heal.” God had promised that someday Satan would be crushed forever.
After God promised this, people began looking for the Savior to come, but none ever measured up to the standard. Eve thought Cain would bring deliverance (Gen. 4:1), but he killed his brother. People thought David was the one, yet he committed adultery and murder. People thought Solomon would be the one since he was building God’s house, yet he lusted after women.
You can imagine how hopeful yet disappointed each generation was. There was always the thought, “Maybe this one could be the Savior”, and over and over again, it was not.
Until this moment. This moment, the Savior was born. Jesus. Immanuel. God with us. The one to take away the sins of the world (v. 21b).
My plea for you today is to rejoice. I want you to rejoice in two things:
1. God kept His promise to send a Savior.
2. We can know the Savior and have a personal relationship with Him.
By: Brice Stockton
6 Comments
AMEN!
What a great way to start the day. Thank you
Great reminder today Brice! This is a story so amazing that it should never become mundane to the believer. Even though Isaiah told the Israelites their Messiah would be born of a virgin, it was still scandalous to Joseph that his betrothed was with child. Scripture tells us that Joseph was a righteous man. I love how he faithfully did exactly what the Lord told him to do after the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream. He still faced public ridicule and shaming from those who were blind to God’s plan for redeeming His people.
My prayer in 2021 is that we will be faithful to God’s call in our lives regardless of the consequences or potential public ridicule. Thanks again Brice for the commentary and your passion to reach middle & high school students for Christ.
Hallelujah for this gift of grace!, I completely agree with Christy.
The most beautiful and awesome event to ever be told, right next to "He is not here; He is risen, just as He said."
Thanks for the reminder, Brice!
Yay! God always keeps His promises. 😊
Wonderful message! To think that God became flesh in the form of Jesus is amazing! But to take all of our sins on himself and die on a cross is just indescribable.