Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional as we begin our Christmas series, Emmanuel, where we're reflecting on the promises regarding God coming to us in Jesus. At present, I'm only posting on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Today, from Isaiah 7:14, we reflect on the nature of Jesus as God, man and sacrifice.
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‘“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”’ (Isaiah 7:14)
1. Jesus was born of a virgin
Firstly, we are told that Jesus was born of a virgin. The word, ‘virgin (almah), The ESV Study Bible notes: ‘refers specifically to a “maiden”—that is, to a young woman who is unmarried and sexually chaste, and thus has virginity as one of her characteristics.’
2. Jesus was a man but without sin
Jesus was born of a virgin, and by the power of the Spirit, in order that the sinfulness of Adam would not be passed on to Jesus. Inherited sin - legal sin and the pollution of sin - is passed on from generation to generation. Jesus’ miraculous birth meant that He was without inherited sin, and, therefore, could be our sinless sacrifice. He was born of The Holy Spirit and was was holy:
‘The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”’ (Luke 1:35)
The virgin birth teaches that Jesus was fully man but was without sin. He was born of Mary rather than being ‘beamed’ down into the stable!
3. Jesus was God with us
Jesus was not only a real man, He was also, at the same time, fully divine. He had both natures. God has come to us in Jesus. This is why John wrote:
‘The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.’ (John 1:14)
This is the amazing and unique nature of Jesus - a nature that He continues to have because, in glory, He remains in His resurrected body.
4. Jesus as man and God died for mankind
Jesus, as a real man, was able to go to the cross for us. We saw in last week’s devotionals on the prophecy on Genesis 3:15, that it was promised that through the ‘seed’ (offspring) on the woman who would ‘crush [Satan’s] head’. It was only as a man that he could go to the cross for mankind’s sin. This is why we read in Galatians:
‘But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.’ (Galatians 4:4-5)
Let’s pray together
“Lord Jesus, I thank you for your amazing grace. You, the creator, became a part of your creation in order to die and redeem us and creation. Help me to live in this body that is led by The Spirit and hopeful of bearing your likeness in future resurrection. Amen.”
Community Group Notes
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
Let’s ensure that we are aware that we are carol singing in Roehampton on the 15th.
2. Icebreaker
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
On Sunday we continued in our Christmas series entitled ‘Emmanuel - God With Us’. During this series, we reflect on some of the Biblical promises regarding Jesus’ coming and His work.
On Sunday, from Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23, we considered what the promise of ‘Emanuel’ - God with us - means.
Please read Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23 and discuss:
Did God speak to you about anything from Sunday’s message that would encourage others?
What does the promise of God with us, fulfilled in Jesus mean for: God’s presence, power and peace?
How can can we live in, and enjoy the reality of, God’s presence more powerfully?
How do you think God wants you to respond to this promise of Emmanuel?
SIV - What does this promise tell us about our mission?
SIV - Do you have any encouraging stories to share - how have you served, invested and invited?
Let’s pray together: Pray for one another out of our study together and for anything else for which people would like prayer.
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