[Dailydevo] Daily Devotion Monday December 11, 2006

[Barry Ludwig]

Daily Devotion Monday December 11, 2006

The Daily Devotions for the next three weeks pastor Ludwig will focus on
each word of the phrase, Jesus Is Coming. This week we look at IS

 

Matthew 1: 20-23

"But as he [Joseph] considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared
to him  in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary
your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she
will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will  save his
people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had
spoken by the prophet: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and
his name shall be called Emmanuel"  (which means, God with us)."

 

As a child, this part of the nativity story in Matthew always confused me.
The angel tells Joseph that he shall name his son (who is really not his
son) "Jesus."  As a proof, Matthew quotes Isaiah 7:14 where the prophet says
his name would be called "Emmanuel"  (I thought he was supposed to be named
"Jesus"?). 

Of course, Matthew is not concerned about names and titles, instead his
heart has been captured by a God who saves ( the name Jesus) and a God who
is in the thick of life with us (the name Emmanuel).

Jim was in his final hours of life and his pastor (me) was in his first year
of ministry. As I sat beside his bed, I assumed that my role was to
encourage him through prayer and scripture texts. Before I could say a word,
he whispered to me, "I talked with Jesus this morning."  I thought he meant
that he had prayed a prayer and I responded, "What did you say?"  He
frowned, "I didn't say anything, Jesus did!"  Was he experiencing the
effects of pain killing medicine or just the failing of his faculties?  I
obliged, "What did Jesus say?"  "He told me to comfort you, since you were
so young and new to ministry."

There was no doubt that Jim understood the salvation of Jesus, the proximity
of Immanuel. As we approach the birthday of Jesus, may we proclaim that he
IS!

 

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