“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
God’s love for the world, His love for each and every one of us, is demonstrated in this: He sent His only-begotten Son into the world to die on the cross and bear the full punishment for our sins, with the desire and intent that we would repent of our sinful ways and place our faith in Christ Jesus and His atoning sacrifice on the cross and not be condemned to the eternal fires of hell but receive God’s mercy, forgiveness, and life everlasting!
O gracious and loving God, grant me faith to trust in Christ Jesus for pardon, forgiveness, and eternal life. Amen.
“For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: how Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and was seen by Cephas, and then by the twelve. Then He was seen by over five hundred brothers at once, of whom the greater part remain to this present time, though some have passed away. …” 1 Corinthians 15:3-6
Not only is Jesus’ crucifixion a well-documented historical fact, but His resurrection appearances were witnessed by many. If anyone in the first century questioned the bodily resurrection of Jesus, many living eyewitnesses to His resurrection appearances could testify that He did rise from the dead on the third day, as He said. And, because He died for our sins and then rose again, those who look to Him in faith can be assured of forgiveness for their sins and a resurrection to life everlasting.
O crucified and risen Savior, grant me faith to trust that You died for my sins and rose again on the third day that I might be pardoned, forgiven, and have the eternal joys of heaven through faith in Your name. Amen.
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
God the Son, the creator of all, took on human flesh and blood and was born into this world of the Virgin Mary to be our Savior. The Apostle John and his fellow disciples saw the glory of Christ Jesus — the same glory possessed by God the Father — in Jesus’ mighty works, His transfiguration, resurrection, and ascension. Jesus brings us God’s undeserved love and mercy, and He brings God’s truth, which reveals our sins but also forgiveness and life through faith alone in Christ Jesus.
Grant, dear Jesus, that we recognize You as the only-begotten Son of the Father, come into this world a true man that You might atone for our sins and grant to all who trust in You eternal salvation. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the Revised 1883 Webster Version of the Bible.]
“While he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take to thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21
As the angel of the Lord told Joseph, Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Jesus is the promised Messiah and Savior, true God, the only-begotten Son of the Father, and true man, born of Mary. This occurred because Mary, Joseph’s betrothed wife, yet a virgin, was conceived by the miraculous working of the Holy Spirit and gave birth to a Son who would save His people from their sins by making atonement for the sins of all when He died on the cross.
O Holy Spirit, grant that I understand Your Word and trust that Jesus is the Son of God and the Son of man, who came into this world to redeem me from sin and death and to give me eternal life in His kingdom. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the Revised 1883 Webster Version of the Bible.]
“And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give to him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” Luke 1:31-33
An angel of God appeared to the Virgin Mary and told her that she would conceive in her womb and give birth to a Son she was to name Jesus, meaning Jehovah (or Yahweh) saves. He would be called the Son of the Highest because He is the eternal Son of God, and he would reign on the throne of His father David because he is a true man, descended from King David through the Virgin Mary. The kingdom of Jesus is the eternal kingdom made without hands, prophesied in Daniel 2:44.
Jesus — true God, Son of the Highest, and true man, born of the Virgin Mary — You came into this world to be my Savior by taking my place under the law and suffering the just punishment for my sins. Grant that I look to You and Your atoning sacrifice on the cross in faith and be pardoned and spared in the coming judgment. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the Revised 1883 Webster Version of the Bible.]
