2,700 years ago, King Ahaz was in an impossible situation. His city, Jerusalem, was surrounded by hostile armies. Death was at the gates. The prophet Isaiah is sent to Ahaz with a message of hope. But this is a message that Ahaz rejects.
See, the despair was too deep. It was easier to give up hope than it was to have faith in God.
God would be justified in saying "Alright, Ahaz, have it your way. I tried to help you but you're not having it."
Instead, this is what God says: “Here’s how I’m going to respond to your despair and your faithlessness: A child is going to be born, and his name is going to be ‘God Is With Us’!”
God looks past the despair, the frantic attempts to engineer manmade hope (by allying with other kingdoms), and the faithlessness of Ahaz and delivers a gracious promise of hope. And this is the sign of that promise: A son, called Immanuel.
The hope that was born to Judah during the reign of King Ahaz points forward 700 years to the hope that entered into the world at Jesus’ birth. In the midst of your despair, your faithlessness, your abandonment of prayer, your inability or even your outright refusal to exercise even the smallest shred of faith in God, hope is born to you.
In the Incarnation, the Immanuel promise is truly fulfilled: God is with us in the Christ born to the Virgin Mary. Our Savior, our Deliverer, our Hope — He’s come to us.
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At St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Gibbon, Minnesota, God has gathered a congregation where all ages are present, from newborns to grandparents. We are united in Christ through the historic liturgy. Children are a visible and joyful part of our life together, with active Sunday School and youth ministries woven into the fabric of our community. Here, every generation receives the saving benefits of Christ through His Word and Sacraments. Whether you’re listening nearby or far away, you’re welcome to join us in person or online.
Visit us: 63924 240th St, Gibbon, MN 55335 | (507) 834-6676 | splcgibbon.org
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