Who has Jesus come for? The angel told Joseph: “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” His name means “The Lord saves,” because He will save his people from their sins.
But who are “his people?” Who is it that Jesus has come to save?
Now, from our vantage point the answer seems obvious: Jesus came for all people!
But when Jesus first showed up, it wasn’t quite so obvious. After all, Jesus is the Messiah, the Anointed One of Israel, a Jewish Savior for the Jewish people. And of course, Jesus did come for Israel.
But more than that, Jesus is the hope of all the world! It’s interesting that Matthew has already hinted at the fact that Jesus has come, not just for Israel, but for the entire world. Matthew goes out of his way in the genealogy from chapter 1 to show us not only that God can work scandals to His glory but also that God is including Gentiles (non-Jewish people) in His redemptive plan.
And just so we don’t miss the point that Jesus came for all people, this passage in Matthew 2 with the three Wise Men, the Magi, emphasizes that Jesus is the Savior of the world.
From the story of the Magi, we learn three things:
- The Magi: God makes Himself knowable. Are you listening?
- The Quest: God makes Himself findable. Are you seeking?
- The Offering: God makes Himself receivable. Are you welcoming?
Who has Jesus come for? He’s come for you.
Matthew 2:1-12
Living the Message episode: https://youtu.be/gZd4b5uwuBE
Questions about this sermon can be emailed to livingthemessage@moodychurch.org.
