«She will give birth to a son and you will name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins». Matthew 1:21, NET
RUMORS that something significant was about to occur could be heard everywhere. According to Suetonius, the Roman historian, «an old and established belief had spread over all the Orient at that time, that it was fated at that time for men coming from Judaea to rule the world.» When Tacitus mentions that «rulers from Judaea were to acquire universal empire,» he is referring to the same thing. And, according to Josephus, the Jewish historian, the idea that a Jew would «become governor of the habitable earth» had spread.*
While these stories spread, something fascinating was happening in the small town of Bethlehem. The most glorious song human ears have ever heard was sung in the darkness of night, a song of salvation and hope. While the shepherds cared for their sheep, the radiance of a bright light broke the power of darkness. The light was coming directly from an angel who gave them this message: «l am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. This very day in David’s town your Savior was born—Christ the Lord!» (Luke 2:10, 11, GNT).
In the Greco-Roman world, the word evangelion (meaning «good news») was used with a religious meaning in the worship the Romans offered in favor of Caesar. They considered the arrival of an emperor to the throne or his triumph in war to be an evangelion the gods had sent them.
Luke also uses the words «Savior» and «Lord» with a religious meaning to refer to Jesus. They were titles that were used to salute the emperor on his birthday. By using those expressions in his gospel, Luke wanted to make it clear to readers that Jesus is the genuine Emperor of the world, the King of the universe, the Messiah everyone was waiting for; but He did not come to sit to rule on a throne, but instead to fulfill the promise found in Psalm 130:8: «He Himself shall ransom Israel from her slavery to sin» (TLB). That’s why He was called Jesus, «because He will save His people from their sins» (Matthew 1:21, GNT).
Jesus’s message for you today is clear: «l am the One who will save you from the sin that enslaves you. Accept Me as your Lord and Savior.»
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Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2023
“I AM WITH YOU”
From: J. VLADIMIR POLANCO
Collaborators: Lorina Maya & Avineyda Hernández
