Before Jesus was born, an angel from God spoke to Joseph concerning his future wife Mary:
“She will bear a son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21)
This was not a common birth. The young virgin became pregnant miraculously through the Holy Spirit of God, fulfilling a 700-year-old prophecy (Isaiah 7:14). The news of this birth announced the expected arrival of the Messiah or Christ, God’s chosen ruler.
The angel also revealed His name would be Jesus. “Jesus” literally means “Jehovah is salvation,” an indicator of His mission in world: “it is He who will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Even from his birth, salvation through his death was promised for man. After the cross was accomplished, the apostles preached the same message, “He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as Prince and Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins” (Acts 5:31).
What do you think about Jesus? Was he a good man? Was he a great teacher and religious leader? Was he a humanitarian that sympathized with people in distress? He was all these things, but still much more. Our concept of Jesus must center on the primary reason he came to earth: to save people from their sins! He said, “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).
Since all of us “have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), we all need to seek forgiveness through Jesus Christ. He is our only hope of being saved from our sins. The apostle Peter said, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). If you realize you are a sinner in need of salvation, we would like to help you learn more about Jesus the Savior. Please call us today or enroll in the free Bible course below.
FREE BIBLE COURSE
Call 267-453-8787 or write to Philly Bible Study, PO Box 24038, Philadelphia, PA 19139. The course is also available online at www.PhillyBibleStudy.org/jesus-the-way.