THE NAME OF JESUS

(Mat 1:21) . . . and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

What do you call the Messiah, the Savior of the world? It would have to be an important name to fit His noble character. Even today the world waits anxiously when royal children are named in England. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph, he told him the Child within Mary’s womb was of divine origin, and to call his name Jesus. What can we learn from the name of Jesus?

HISTORICAL – Actually the name of Jesus was a very common name in Israel. In the Old Testament the Hebrew name for Jesus was Joshua. There were two popular Joshuas in the Jew’s history: Joshua, the assistant of Moses, who led the Hebrews into the Promised Land. And Joshua the post-exilic high priest. So to name your child Joshua was a special thing to do.

PROPHETICAL – The angel said to call the baby’s name Jesus because He would save His people from their sins. Jesus (or Joshua) means “Jehovah is salvation”. How fitting, because that is what Jesus would do on the cross and through the resurrection. He would save mankind from their sins and give them eternal salvation as they placed their faith in Him.

PRACTICAL – But the name of Jesus is not only historical and prophetical, but also practical. Jesus is the:

- NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES: (Phil 2:9) Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name.

- ONLY NAME BY WHICH A PERSON MAY BE SAVED: (Acts 4:12) Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

- NAME THAT CAN BRING DELIVERANCE: (Joel 2:32) . . . whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

- NAME THAT BRINGS HEALING: (Acts 4:30) by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”

My good friend and pastor, Mark, was up for cancer surgery and was in the hospital calling on the name of the Lord for peace and healing. He asked the Lord to give him some kind of sign that He was with him. Just then a male nurse walked in and said he was the one who would be with him by his side and that everything would be all right. When Mark looked at his name badge it said Jesus! (Obviously of Latino origin) What a peace came over him as he relaxed back onto his pillow and called on the name of Jesus!!

Louie