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."
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!
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.
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