For Everyone

Matt.1:²⁰ “As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.”

Matt.1:^21-22 “And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All of this occurred to fulfil the Lord’s message through his prophet“. What was the Lord’s message?If you come back with me to about five hundred years before then to the time of king Ahaz and Isaiah the prophet. Please read Isa.7:2-14. The background to this is, the king of Israel who was supposed to be the brother to the king of Judah connived and ganged up with the king of Syria to destroy Judah. Judah and Ahaz were filled with fear and confusion.

Isa.7:² “The news had come to the royal court of Judah: “Syria is allied with Israel against us!” So the hearts of the king and his people trembled with fear, like trees shaking in a storm.” (emphasis added). They were so afraid, it was as though they were being tossed around by the wind. They were so shaken because Syria was a big nation and still is. Israel was about ten or eleven times bigger than Judah. Their alliance terrified Ahaz. I do not know what is scaring you today. Some of us look at 2020 or perhaps just a particular aspect of our lives, and we are afraid. The best way to describe how sacred you are is like trees shaking in a storm. Isa.7:⁴ “Tell him to stop worrying. Tell him he doesn’t need to fear the fierce anger of those two burned-out embers, King Rezin of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah.” God is saying to you today, stop worrying.

Ahaz and Joseph were in a similar situation. Ahaz was afraid of external kings’ bigger than himself. Ahaz was afraid of external pressure. Joseph was afraid of social pressure, external people that will jeer at him. He risked getting stoned because he was not yet married to Mary and she was pregnant. In Israel, at that time such people will be stoned. God sent the same prophetic word to Ahaz and to Joseph. Isa. 7:¹⁴ “…Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).” (emphasis added). In the Matt.1 account also, the Bible says His Name shall be called Jesus and then goes ahead to interpret the meaning of the Name Jesus. Why is that significance? There are names in the Bible that God did not bother to interpret. So, why does the Name of Jesus need interpretation? The answer is, the Name of Jesus needs interpretation because of you and I. God knows that we do not speak Hebrew. But He wants us to understand that Jesus is for all of us.

Prayer (song): Your Name is a strong tower Jesus. To You belong all power Jesus. Whenever I call Your Name, You always come and make a way. Your Name is a strong tower Jesus. Amen!