A Promise Wrapped in a Name – December 4, 2021

“‘The days are coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah. “‘In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The LORD Our Righteous Savior.’
Jeremiah 33:14-16

A Promise Wrapped in a Name

Most parents spend a lot of time choosing a name for their child. One reason for their careful consideration is that a name says something about a person. For many people, certain characteristics come to mind when they hear various names. For example, people may be inclined to trust someone with the name “Lincoln,” and when they hear the name “Tiffany,” they might think of someone wealthy.

When God promised the coming of his Savior, he wanted to make sure that his people would have a clear picture of what he would be like, so he gave him a name that described him well. He announced through the prophet Jeremiah that the Savior would be called “the LORD Our Righteousness.”

His name is the LORD. This is the name God gave himself. And it describes him well. He is the God of free and faithful grace, who always keeps his promises and saves his people. His name is also “Our Righteousness.” Instead of demanding a righteousness that we don’t have and can’t offer, he would be our righteousness so that we would have the peace and favor of God.

God’s Old Testament people looked forward to the coming of the Savior, but we have seen the LORD Our Righteousness in the person of Jesus Christ. As we look forward to celebrating Christmas, let’s rejoice that the baby born in the manger was wrapped up in a name that tells us so much about him. He is our LORD, and he has brought us righteousness. There is no greater reason to celebrate.

Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for telling me so much about your Son and our Savior. Help me to stay focused on what is most important this Christmas season. Give me a faith that continually looks to the baby born in the manger, who is the LORD Our Righteousness. Amen.