Isaiah 62:10-12
Go through, go through the gates. Prepare a way for the people. Build up, build up the highway. Clear it of stones. Raise a banner for the peoples. Listen, the Lord is making a proclamation to the end of the earth. Tell the daughter of Zion: “Look, your salvation is coming. Look, his reward is with him, and his compensation is out in front of him.” Then, they will be called holy people, the redeemed of the Lord. Then you will be called Sought After, A City Not Abandoned.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Let us share your proclamation with everyone with whom we come in contact. It is incredible how, at Christmas time, people are so close to the gates of being able to know their Savior that they stand outside looking at the gates but will not enter through them. They hear about Mary, Joseph, and Jesus but fail to see how that tiny baby lying in the manger could be their answer to salvation. Those little hands and feet would one day have nails driven through to save us all from our sins.
You did not force your Son to be our Savior, and you do not force anyone to believe, but encourage them, “Go through, the gates go through them.” You have brought salvation for all, and your words encourage all to move those things out of the way that keeps us from trusting in you. The banner was raised over Jesus on the cross for all to see he was the King of the Jews; he was our King who died in our place so that in his resurrection, we know we have salvation and eternal life.
It is incredible how so many people search for answers to all that life throws at them, a way to overcome all the pain, sorrow, guilt, and shame. Jesus’ forgiveness is what they seek. Let us share this good news of forgiveness with them so they may hear your bidding and walk through those gates. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
You have seen the lights of Christmas and perhaps heard the stories about the baby in the manger. That baby was your Savior sent to suffer for all your sins so that his death on the cross and resurrection from the grave would forgive you all your sins and grant you eternal life.