Tuesday 2 December 2014

A profound name - Advent 3



Even the meaning of Isaiah’s name is relevant for us during this Advent season - his name means “Yahweh saves” or "Yahweh is salvation." Don't you think that this is a deeply profound prelude to the Christmas story? The man, whose name means "God saves", is the one who tells us about the coming of the Messiah. 

This is indeed the message of the Incarnation - Christ is born in Bethlehem to offer salvation and peace to all who would believe. In other words, Salvation is at hand.

Isaiah knew that the people of God had messed up and were far away from God. He wrote:

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.” – Isaiah 64:6

The Apostle Paul borrowed this imagery, 800 years later, when he wrote to the church in Rome. 

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

However, Paul, just like Isaiah, carried on to give us the good news. ...
"....and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (v.24)

May the names of Isaiah and Jesus offer us renewed hope and joy this festive season.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

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