"He Will Save His People"

 

"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."

 

"On that outwardly ordinaryÉ turned totally extraordinary night . . .

While we were just doing our jobs and minding our own business . . .

How could I have known the girl in front of me was about to give birth to the Savior?"  (voices of Innkeeper and Shepherd from "I Was Just Doing My Job," drama by Patricia Souder presented earlier in the service)

 

          Matthew tells us of the birth of the Savior. He gives his account without mentioning the shepherds or the innkeeper, the census demanded by Caesar or details of the long trip to Bethlehem for Mary and Joseph, or even the angel choir, because Matthew wants to focus completely on the Savior who saves us from our sins.

Paul begins his letter to the Romans by saying that he was "set apart for the Gospel of God – the Gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures . . ."

          Leon Morris writes that the Gospel is "rooted in God's eternal purpose, promised in scripture, and has its origin in God's concern for his people and his will to save them."

         At the heart of what Matthew wants to tell us about the birth of Jesus is the naming of the child. In that time and culture it was the responsibility of the legal father to name the child, and the naming of the child ensured the official status of the child as an heir. So Joseph, engaged to Mary, was at first planning to divorce her because of the pregnancy. But an angel told him to take Mary home as his wife and then to give the name Jesus to his son. In order to do that, Joseph had to formally adopt Jesus, and then he could name him, and Jesus officially became a "Son of David."

         The virgin birth of Jesus then explains Joseph's place as the legal father, and also links the Holy Spirit not just to the adult ministry of Jesus, when the Spirit comes down upon Jesus at his baptism, but links the Spirit to the whole life of Jesus. It allows us to speak of Jesus as "the Son of God" from the beginning of his life. Paul writes in Romans 1 that Jesus "as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and through the Holy Spirit was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead."  Morris explains this appointment or designation: "He who was Son of God in weakness and lowliness during his earthly life, through the resurrection became the Son of God in power."

         There are two names given, which help us understand the purpose and identity of the Savior. The first is the name Jesus, which means "The Lord is salvation." It was a common name at the time, and "salvation" was often interpreted to mean "saved from sins." So the name "Jesus" proclaimed that God saved people from their sins, God is salvation. But when this name is given to the baby by Joseph, it means that Jesus is salvation, for the angel said, "He will save his people from their sins." So the salvation that Jesus brings is the forgiveness of sin.

         There are a number of Old Testament passages that speak of the Messiah bringing forgiveness of sin, but R.T. France says, "the dominant concern in first century Jewish hope was with their political subjection, and with the restoration of the Davidic Kingdom as the Messianic goal." In other words, they were not thinking so much of a Savior who would release them from their sins as they were a ruler who would defeat their oppressors. But Jesus is the Savior who forgives sin.

         The other name for the Savior is "Emmanuel."  Matthew quotes the passage from Isaiah chapter 7, and then adds the meaning of the name, "God with us." So the salvation of God promised in the name "Jesus" is to be accomplished in the coming of God among his people. God is concerned for us, "God is with us." Now we see also that the presence of God is in Jesus himself.

         So the gift of the savior to us is the forgiveness of sin. Is that a worthwhile gift? Is the forgiveness of sin something that we need? Does it have the power to take away our feelings of guilt? Does it restore relationship with God and with other people? Is forgiveness an essential ingredient in salvation? And is forgiveness something we want, that we truly desire? Do we want forgiveness more than what he world values and offers?  

         A big part of receiving the Christmas message, the Gospel, is coming to agree with God. We need a Savior, and we need to be saved from our sins. Sometimes we do not feel the need for forgiveness. We think we must be good enough.  We can manage what sin there is in our lives. But the Holy Spirit convicts us and speaks to our hearts. Do not ignore that voice. Trust the disturbing voice of the Holy Spirit. It will lead you to life. It will bring you to the Savior. Through the cross and resurrection of Jesus, there is power to cleanse your heart, to save you from your sins. The birth of Jesus is God's response to your deepest need.  The gift of salvation is both valuable and worthwhile.

        Let every heart prepare him room.

        Amen.