Matthew 1:21 - Jesus Saves Us From Sin.
Matthew 1:21 (KJV) And she shall bring forth
a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for
he shall save his people from their sins.
Matthew 1:21 (AMP) She will bear a Son, and
you shall call His name Jesus [the Greek form of
the Hebrew Joshua, which means Savior], for He
will save His people from their sins [that is,
prevent them from failing and missing the true end
and scope of life, which is God].
COMMENTARY PEARL
Set Your Compass in the Right Direction
The problem is not that God hasnt
spoken but that we havent listened.
Imagine your reaction if I were to take a
telephone book, open it up, and proclaim, I have found
a list of everyone whos on welfare! Or what
if I said, Here is a list of college graduates!
Or, This book will tell us who has a red car.
Youd probably say, Now wait a minute -
thats not the purpose of that book. Youre
holding a telephone book. Its purpose is simply to
reveal the name and number of residents of a city
during a certain time frame.
Only by understanding its purpose can I
accurately use the telephone book. Only by
understanding its purpose can I accurately use the
Bible
The purpose of the Bible is simply to
proclaim Gods plan to save his children. It
asserts that man is lost and needs to be saved. And
it communicates the message that Jesus is the
God in the flesh sent to save his children.
Though the Bible was written over sixteen
centuries by at least forty authors, it has one
central theme - salvation through faith in Christ.
Begun by Moses in the lonely desert of Arabia and
finished by John on the lonely Isle of Patmos, it is
held together by a strong thread: Gods passion
and Gods plan to save his children.
What a vital truth! Understanding the
purpose of the Bible is like setting the compass in
the right direction. Calibrate it correctly and
youll journey safely. But fail to set it, and who
knows where youll end up. [Max Lucado Daily
Devotional at maxlucado.com]
WORD STUDY
From Their Sins
Sin had bound men (Rom. 6:16; 2 Peter
2:19) in its prison house (Isa. 42:7). Christ came
that He might loose the bonds, open the prison
doors, and deliver the captives from the sentence
of death (Isa. 61:1; Rom. 7:24, 25). He came to
save us from our sins, not in our sins. He came,
not only to save us from sins actually
committed, but from our potential tendencies that lead
to sin (Rom. 7:23"5; 1 John 1:7, 9). He came
to redeem us from all iniquity (Titus
2:14), including every hereditary and cultivated
tendency to evil (DA 671)
He [Christ] did not come to restore
again the kingdom to Israel (Acts 1:6), but to
restore the dominion of God in the hearts of men
(Luke 17:20, 21). Christ did not come primarily to
save men from poverty and social injustice (Luke
12:13"15), as many apostles of the social gospel claim
today, but from sin, the fundamental cause of
poverty and injustice. [SDA Bible Commentary]
INTRODUCTION
When the fullness of the time was
come, God sent forth His Son. Providence had
directed the movements of nations, and the tide of
human impulse and influence, until the world was
ripe for the coming of the Deliverer. The nations
were united under one government. One language
was widely spoken, and was everywhere recognized
as the language of literature. From all lands
the Jews of the dispersion gathered to Jerusalem
to the annual feasts. As these returned to the
places of their sojourn, they could spread
throughout the world the tidings of the Messiahs
coming.
At this time the systems of heathenism
were losing their hold upon the people. Men were
weary of pageant and fable. They longed for a
religion that could satisfy the heart. While the
light of truth seemed to have departed from among
men, there were souls who were looking for light,
and who were filled with perplexity and sorrow.
They were thirsting for a knowledge of the living
God, for some assurance of a life beyond the
grave. DA32
Satan was exulting that he had succeeded in
debasing the image of God in humanity. Then Jesus
came to restore in man the image of his Maker.
None but Christ can fashion anew the character
that has been ruined by sin. He came to expel the
demons that had controlled the will. He came to
lift us up from the dust, to reshape the marred
character after the pattern of His divine character,
and to make it beautiful with His own glory.
DA37-38
COMMENTARY
Jesus died, not to save man IN his sins, but
FROM his sins. Man is to leave the error of his
ways, to follow the example of Christ, to take up
his cross and follow Him, denying self, and
obeying God at any cost. [4T250]
Christ invites all to come to Him, but when
they come, they are to lay aside their sins. All
their vices and follies, all their pride and
worldliness, are to be laid at [the foot of] His cross.
This He requires because He loves them, and
desires to save them; not in their sins but from
their sins. [UL169]
1. Jesus saves us from all past sin by His
death on the cross.
1Jo.1:9 If we confess our sins, he is
faithful and just to forgive us our
sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.
2. Jesus saves us from present sin by the
gift of the Holy Spirit:
Gal.5:16 Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall
not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As
the branch cannot bear fruit of
itself, except it abide in the vine; no
more can ye, except ye abide in me.
1Th.5:17 Pray without ceasing.
3. Jesus saves from future sin by
glorification.
1Co.15:52-54 In a moment, in the
twinkling of an eye, at the last trump:
for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead
shall be raised incorruptible,
and we shall be changed. 53 For this
corruptible must put on incorruption,
and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall
have put on incorruption, and this mortal
shall have put on immortality,
then shall be brought to pass the saying
that is written, Death is
swallowed up in victory. [source unknown]
ILLUSTRATION
Wed spent the morning unpacking
holiday decorations and hanging them on the tree. As
I stepped back to view the finished product,
memories warmed me from the inside out. My husband
and I exchanged smiles. It was time to set up
the crche - our favorite way to welcome
Christmas. Our nativity is extensive, made up of close
to thirty pieces. One by one, we unwrapped the
white porcelain forms, placing them in a rough
arrangement. We had more than half of the boxes emptied
when I began to worry.
I didnt see the container holding baby
Jesus anywhere. I pushed the collectors boxes
back and forth, searching. Wheres the Holy
Child? Panic tinged my voice. My husband pointed to
a coffee table where hed set the piece
aside. I blinked and took a deep breath. It was as
if Id been jostled awake, thoughts crowding
my mind and emotions.
What if God hadnt decided to redeem
us? What if an obedient virgin hadnt accepted
the terrible and marvelous honor of motherhood?
And most important, what if there hadnt been
a baby Jesus? I shuddered.
But Jesus was with God in the beginning
and will be with us forever, to the end of the
age. My soul finds peace in that promise. For
today, I gaze at this tiny figurine that represents
our Lords humble entry into the chaos of our
world. Once again, I experience the wonder of a
second chance, the vast and eternal hope
represented in His birth. And I sigh.
I know how the story ends - happily ever
after - for every believer. And I offer a prayer
of thanks. by Heidi Gaul
Faith Step: Spend a few minutes today
thinking about what your life would be like if Jesus
had never been born. Invite someone over for
coffee and give thanks in celebration. [Mornings
With Jesus 2020 Devotional by Guideposts and
Zondervan]
CLOSING THOUGHT
Jesus came to earth to save us because we
can't save ourselves from sin and its
consequences. No matter how good we are, we can't
eliminate our alienation from God. Only Jesus can do
that. Jesus didn't come to help people save
themselves; he, and he alone, came to be their Savior
from the power and penalty of sin. Thank Jesus
for his death on the cross for your sin, and
then ask him to take control of your life. Your
new life begins at that moment. (Life
Application Commentary)
ONE LINER
I am a Jew, but I am enthralled by the
luminous figure of the Nazarene... No one can read
the Gospels without feeling the actual presence
of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every
word. No myth is filled with such life. [the great
physicist and mathematician Albert Einstein]
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
I am God with you, for all time and
throughout eternity. Don't let the familiarity of that
concept numb its impact on your consciousness. My
perpetual Presence with you can be a continual source
of Joy, springing up and flowing out in streams
of abundant Life. Let your mind reverberate
with meanings of My Names: Jesus - the Lord
saves, and Immanuel - God with us. Strive to remain
conscious of My Presence even in your busiest moments.
Talk with Me about whatever delights you,
whatever upsets you, whatever is on your mind. These
tiny steps of daily discipline, taken one after
the other, will keep you close to Me on the path
of Life. (Mat. 1:21, 23; Acts 2:28) [Jesus
Calling by Sarah Young]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
Matthew 1:21 - Jesus Saves Us From Sin;
Past, Present And Future.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2005/20050916-0913.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor
(recent): https://www.revelationnow.com/
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio (recent):
https://bible.awr.org/en/the-signs/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
