TUESDAY December 12, 2023

Are You Ready to Receive Jesus?

But when she saw him [the angel Gabriel], she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS.”
Luke 1:29-31

Mary, as a young virgin, would conceive in her womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. This miracle would fulfill the Scripture found in Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel”––God with us.”

Imagine seeing an angel and receiving a message such as this! Mary became fearful and troubled by what she heard. She was trying to grasp the reality of what was being said to her. The angel immediately calmed her fears and reassured her of God’s divine favor toward her. Then understanding came, and the reason for this angelic visit.

Mary had found favor with God, and although a virgin, miraculously she would conceive in her womb the Son of God––Jesus, the Savior of the world. Mary’s child was to be called JESUS. In Hebrew, His name was Yehoshua, shortened to Joshua, which means “Yahweh is salvation.”

Then God also revealed to Joseph, a just man, by an angel of the Lord in a dream, not to be afraid to take Mary as His wife, as the Babe in her womb was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20). Joseph was told to call Him JESUS. What was the purpose of Jesus’ birth? “…for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

The Jewish people knew the Scriptures and understood their Messiah would one day be born, but were they ready to receive JESUS? The real question is, are you ready to receive Him? He alone can save you from your sins!

Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.
~Corrie Ten Boom~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!