by Rev Steve Nickodemus

Reading the Signs

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“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
Isaiah 7:14

As I marveled at this magnificent sunset I remembered an old saying, “Red sky at morning, sailor take warning. Red sky at night, sailor’s delight.”  How true this saying often is as with a red sky in the morning there is often stormy weather that day, and with a beautiful sunset there is often beautiful weather the next day.

If God gives us such signs to read the weather, how much more has He given us signs to read the spiritual forecast!

Isaiah told King Ahaz that the Lord would give him a sign, and that he should heed both the warning and the promise of that sign. What was the sign? That “the virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” Although Ahaz was not open to such a sign from the Lord, you and I rejoice to hear this sign!

For in the fullness of time God sent His Son into the world, born of a virgin, to redeem all those under the curse of sin, and all those who will read this “sign”, who will embrace the salvation offered to us by Immanuel, are made the children of God and given eternal life forever.

Our Lord both warns us of the wages of sin, and offers us the gift of eternal life. The sign of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has come into the world to save sinners, is in plain sight of all. Will you heed the sign of Jesus today? Will you embrace Him as Savior and Lord?

Lord, thank you for the sure sign of your birth, crucifixion, and resurrection for me.  Amen.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado