But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord
appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be
afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her
is of the Holy Spirit. "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name
Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:20-21)
The name Jesus means “Savior.” It is the same name as “Joshua” in the Old
Testament. It is given to our Lord
because “he saves his people from their
sins.” This is his special office. He saves them from the guilt of sin, by
washing them in his own atoning blood. He
saves them from the dominion of sin, by putting in their hearts the sanctifying
Spirit. He saves them from the presence
of sin, when he takes them out of this world to rest with him. He will save them from all the consequences of
sin, when he gives them a glorious body at the last day.
Blessed and holy are Christ’s people! From sorrow, cross and conflict they are not
saved; but they are “saved from sin” for evermore. They are cleansed from guilt by Christ’s
blood. They are made fit for heaven by
Christ’s Spirit. This is salvation sent
from God!
Jesus is a very
encouraging name to sinners. He who is
King of kings and Lord of lords might lawfully have taken some more
high-sounding title. But he did not do
so. The rulers of this world have often
called themselves Great, Conqueror, Bold, Magnificent, and the like. The Son of God was content to call himself “Savior.” Those who desire salvation may draw close to
the Father with boldness, and have access with confidence through Christ. It is His office and His delight to show
mercy. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the
world, but that the world might be saved through Him. John 3:17
Jesus is a name
which is especially sweet and precious to believers. It has given them what money cannot buy, an
inner peace. It has eased their weary
consciences, and given rest to their heavy hearts. The Song of Songs speaks of the experience of
many, when it says, Your name is like perfume poured out. Song
of Songs 1:3
Happy is the
person who trusts not merely in vague notions of God’s mercy and goodness, but
in the name of Jesus.
We pray in His name, we call forth power in His name, we
find our hope in the name of the Risen Lord Jesus! It is the name bestowed by the Father upon
His Son. For
this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is
above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those
who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians
2:9-11
Jesus – He is
still the reason for the season!
Scripture to Claim:
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of
the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. (Colossians 3:17)
