We begin our Advent celebration this morning with the lighting of the Hope candle. The scriptures introduce God’s message of Hope in the coming of Jesus into our world through the prophet Isaiah, “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in the dark land, the light will shine on them…For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:2, 6-7)
In scripture, a person’s name carries with it the essence of who the person is and the future outlook of what that person will become. When the angel appeared to Joseph to tell him not to fear taking Mary to be his wife, he said, “She will bear a Son’ and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
The name Jesus is based on the Hebrew name Yeshua meaning to ‘DELIVER’ or to ‘RESCUE.’ The name Jesus defined his special role as Savior, Redeemer, and the one who would Rescue people from their sins. All the titles the prophet Isaiah gives us for the coming Savior tell us more about the character or the coming Savior:
All of these titles show us what Hope looks like.
Obviously, there is no other name like this one, “…at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11)
Today, we do not just Hope for a name like that, we have a savior like that. His name is Jesus. We know Him and we love Him. He is with us and He is for us. He is our Hope that has been made flesh and dwells among us (John 1:14).
Renew your Hope today because Jesus is alive and at work in the hearts of everyone who calls Him Savior. Say His name often. Put Jesus into your Christmas when you go shopping and when you wrap presents and when you put up your decorations. Make Jesus the center of your Christmas and let Hope become more than just a word.
In scripture, a person’s name carries with it the essence of who the person is and the future outlook of what that person will become. When the angel appeared to Joseph to tell him not to fear taking Mary to be his wife, he said, “She will bear a Son’ and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
The name Jesus is based on the Hebrew name Yeshua meaning to ‘DELIVER’ or to ‘RESCUE.’ The name Jesus defined his special role as Savior, Redeemer, and the one who would Rescue people from their sins. All the titles the prophet Isaiah gives us for the coming Savior tell us more about the character or the coming Savior:
- Wonderful Counselor
- Mighty God
- Eternal Father
- Prince of Peace
All of these titles show us what Hope looks like.
- This Jesus is a caring listener.
- He is a King above all others.
- He is a forever Daddy who provides and loves His children.
- He is a peacemaker who ends strife and war.
Obviously, there is no other name like this one, “…at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11)
Today, we do not just Hope for a name like that, we have a savior like that. His name is Jesus. We know Him and we love Him. He is with us and He is for us. He is our Hope that has been made flesh and dwells among us (John 1:14).
Renew your Hope today because Jesus is alive and at work in the hearts of everyone who calls Him Savior. Say His name often. Put Jesus into your Christmas when you go shopping and when you wrap presents and when you put up your decorations. Make Jesus the center of your Christmas and let Hope become more than just a word.
RSS Feed