Devotional: The Savior Has Come To Save Us
Jesus is the reason for the season. Sounds catchy. But what was Jesus’s reason for coming to earth in the first place? Luke 19:10 says that “Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Is it that simple? Fortunately, yes. So, what are you looking for this Christmas season? Whether it’s the excitement of the festivities or the stress of planning them, do not forget the real reason we have the Christmas season – that Jesus came to look for you. And Matthew 1:18-23 shows us that He arrived on the scene through the lives of two very ordinary people, with their own extraordinary drama.
Questions For Meditation
- Who are the main characters in Matthew 1:18-23? How do we know that they are real people, and not just a story? (hint: What’s Joseph’s dilemma?)
- Verse 19 says Joseph was faithful to the law given by the prophets. Did Joseph want the prophesied Messiah to come? By wanting to divorce Mary, who was Joseph actually distancing himself from?
- Joseph thought divorcing Mary was the “honorable” thing to do. What does this teach us about our plans vs. God’s plans? What does this teach us about doing “good things” vs. looking to Jesus?
- With Mary pregnant before their marriage, Mary could have been stoned and Joseph could be stuck with the public shame his entire life. Is following Jesus supposed to always be easy? Has it ever cost you?
- Did the Savior ultimately come in Joseph and Mary’s case? Did they have to pay those consequences? Who, ultimately, paid the consequences?
- Joseph was looking for the Savior. But he didn’t realize his own “honorable” actions distanced him from the Savior. What’s distancing you from the Savior? Are they “honorable” things or things you’re ashamed of? Are you ready to be saved from those things? What does Romans 10:9 say? Will you do that today?