HIS NAME IS JESUS

We say it often. Jesus, is our REDEEMER. We talk about it. We sing about it. Indeed, Jesus has redeemed us, but, have we pondered just what that means to us? In todays lesson, we're going to do just that. We're going to look into the Hebrew meaning from an Old Testament scripture verse, found in Isaiah. Let's turn to it now, and talk about what God's word reveals about the name of our "REDEEMER".

Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I [am] the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way [that] thou shouldest go. (Isa 48:17 KJV)

What a promise. Here, we're being told that we will be taught (i.e. instructed) of the Lord, even to profit (meaning, to benefit). There is also the promise in this scripture referrence, that the Lord our REDEEMER will lead (lead forth, march or march forth, tread, cause to go, walk), us in the way that we should go. As I looked into the Strong's Concordance, in reference to this verse, I was especially blessed to discover some of the original meanings of the name Redeemer, and of the promises our Redeemer offers to His us who belong to Him. Let's take a look at the Strong's Concordance, and see what REDEEMER means, according to "Isa 48:17":

REDEEMER:

kinsman, revenger, avenger, ransom, deliver, purchase, to redeem from slavery, to redeem land, to exact vengeance, to redeem individuals from death.

As REDEEMER, Jesus came to deliver us, to redeem us from slavery, to redeem us from death. He paid the price as our Redeemer, and purchased our salvation with His own blood. He was our ransom. There was a price that had to be paid, and He paid it. He paid it with His own life. He chose to die, that we might live. He was also our avenger, meaning He took our vengence upon Himself, the very vengence that was meant for you and me, the vengence we ourselves deserved, yet were spared of.

This sacrifice ... all of what Jesus did for us, didn't even end there. How difficult it is to comprehend such love, such sacrificial love. Beyond all of what Jesus did, all the pain and sorrow He took upon Himself, for us, as just mentioned (above), He befriends us, loves us, touches our life with healing, wipes away our tears, meets our every need, comforts us, encourages us, fights our battles for us, guides us into all truth, and has even gone away to prepare a place for us, so that where He is, we can be also:

Such love. I could go on and on. All of us could. We could write a non stop list, that perhaps could go on and on for a long time to come, regarding all the good, kind and wonderful things Jesus (our Redeemer) does for His own. Now here's something to think about. He did all of this"before" we were "His own". Before we belonged to Him. Before we chose to live for Him. Before we yielded our lives to Him, He did all of this. He died first, to save, touch and heal all who would receive His gift to us. And, oh what a gift. A gift of unconditional love.

Christmas is just around the corner, and it is a day that should, above all, reflect on Him, and upon His gift to this world. After all, He came not to receive, but to give. What about us? Can we give? Can we give back to Him? Can we give something of ourselves to Him, and bless Him during this holiday season. Can we not put aside all the rushing, all the commercialism, all of the stress, all the busyness? Can we arrange some time for our REDEEMER? Can we give to the giver? Can we reflect upon His love and goodness? Are we so caught up in the gaiety of the season, that we've forgotten the very One it's all about? Let's take some time to let Him know how much we love Him, how much we appreciate Him, and how very thankful we are to Him, for His gift to us.

Jesus, we want to take this moment to tell You how much we love and appreciate You. We thank Your for all that You've done for us. Dear Redeemer, is there anything we can do for You? Is there anything that we might do, that would bless and please you? Yes, You say?? We could reach out to one another, and love one another, and let those around us know they really do matter to us, as well as to You? Lord, help us to do, just that. To love one another. To reach out to others, making a difference in their lives. Christmas is all about love. Help each of us to show love, Your love in fact, to the hurting, to the broken, to the lonely, to the lost (again, the list could go on, Lord). Pour Your love into us, and make a difference in us, and through us we pray Lord, in Your most awesome name, precious Jesus, Redeemer and Lord. Amen.

May each of you be most blessed in His love during this very special time of the year (Christmas) ...

In His love,

Marcia