She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21)
“He will save his people from their sins.”
How much did those words shock Joseph?
“My son will save his people from their sins? How is that possible? What does that mean?”
He certainly had no concept of the cross at that point.
Had the angel told him, “He will save his people from the Romans,” similar to what God had said concerning Samson (Judges 13:5), I’m sure Joseph would have had no problems understanding that.
But, “He will save his people from their sins?”
How many people today would be as confused as Joseph was?
If they think they need salvation at all, it might be salvation from government oppression. Or salvation from financial problems, health problems, or family problems.
They think joy and peace in their lives would come from having all those issues taken away.
And so if they ever ask God for anything, that’s what they pray for.
But it never occurs to them that the number one issue in their lives is their sin. They need salvation from their sin.
So many take their sin lightly. Many refuse to even admit their actions are sinful.
On the other hand, there are those completely burdened with guilt and regret because of their sin, but they can’t see what can be done about it.
To both, the message is the same: Jesus came to save his people from their sins.
So as we think about Christmas and how to share with the people we love its meaning, let us remember what is at the core of the Christmas message:
Jesus came to save his people from their sins.
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 