Today's Verse: Matthew 1:20-21

Friday, December 17, 2010

An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "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."

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus first had to become the sins of the people before he could save them, and us, from those sins (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 4:10). Jesus own people rejected him before his forgiveness could be received. His gift of forgiveness and salvation for us was incredibly costly to him. This sacrificial love reminds us of two great truths: God loves us deeply, and our salvation is a precious gift from him to us. In Jesus, we know and experience both truths!

My Prayer...

Almighty God and Savior, thank you for bearing the cost of my sin in Jesus. Thank you, precious Lord, for taking on human flesh and bearing its difficulties and facing the rejection of your people so I could be saved and accepted by the Father. My salvation makes any other important name pale in comparison to Jesus, in whom I offer all thanks and praise. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

25 Related Resources by Heartlight

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 1:20-21 — An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "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."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, December 17, 2010

A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
"Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus. In him, this is what we preach and pray, the great Amen, God's Yes and our Yes together,..."
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
"With praise and thanks, they sang this song to the Lord: "He is so good! His faithful love for Israel endures forever!" Then all the people gave a..."
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
"Christ carried our sins in his body on the cross so we would stop living for sin and start living for what is right. And you are healed because of his..."
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
"How are they his? By his own sovereign choice. He chose them, and set his love upon them. This he did altogether apart from any goodness in them at..."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.