The Name Jesus
The names of Jesus
Read Matthew 1:18-25
“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for he will save His people from their sins.”
In Matthew 1, we find the angel of the Lord appearing to Joseph. The reason for the focus on Joseph is that it was revealed to him that the name to be given to his firstborn is the name “Jesus .”For the Jews, this name was nondescript. It was a common name that people would give their sons. For the Jews, the name Jesus would be comparable to someone naming their son John. It was a popular name. The popularity stemmed from the background of the Old Testament hero, who bore the same name. The name Jesus in Hebrew would be pronounced Jeshua, thus connecting the name to the Old Testament personage of Joshua (Hebrew: Jeshua), the great military leader who led the nation in seizing possession of the land promised to Abraham in the covenant god made with him.
When the angel informs Joseph that he is to name his firstborn Jesus, he tells Joseph that the name would be significant, “for He will save His people from their sins.” The name Jesus (Joshua) comes from combining two Hebrew words. The first part of the name “Yeh” was commonly attached to Old Testament names, either at the beginning or end, to serve as a reference to the God of Israel, “Jahweh,” “I AM,” which was the exclusive name of the God of Israel. The other Hebrew embedded in the name is the word “Shu’” which is the Hebrew word for “cry for help.” It describes God’s response to those who cry out to him. God responds to the cry and brings salvation and deliverance. Putting these two terms together in the name of Jeshua then results in the name meaning “The Lord is our help.”
In his pronouncement to Joseph, the angel makes it clear that the name “Jesus” is more than just a title or designation. It is a name that will define the purpose of his arrival. The Jews were looking for a Messiah, one who would come to bring political and national salvation to Israel. But the angel announces that this baby would do far more, for he would come to bring salvation for the people from their sins. In this name, we find the ultimate purpose of Christ’s coming.
Christ came not just to save us from our bondage of sin but also he came to save us from the judgment of sin. In the death of Christ, Christ broke the power of sin over us by redeeming us from evil. To celebrate Christmas is to celebrate is to keep one eye on the manger and the other eye on the cross. This week, as we anticipate the arrival of Christmas morning. We need to recognize that what we are celebrating is not just the birth of a baby in the manger; we are celebrating the one who came to answer our cry for help. He came to save us from sin.
Read Matthew 1:18-25
“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for he will save His people from their sins.”
In Matthew 1, we find the angel of the Lord appearing to Joseph. The reason for the focus on Joseph is that it was revealed to him that the name to be given to his firstborn is the name “Jesus .”For the Jews, this name was nondescript. It was a common name that people would give their sons. For the Jews, the name Jesus would be comparable to someone naming their son John. It was a popular name. The popularity stemmed from the background of the Old Testament hero, who bore the same name. The name Jesus in Hebrew would be pronounced Jeshua, thus connecting the name to the Old Testament personage of Joshua (Hebrew: Jeshua), the great military leader who led the nation in seizing possession of the land promised to Abraham in the covenant god made with him.
When the angel informs Joseph that he is to name his firstborn Jesus, he tells Joseph that the name would be significant, “for He will save His people from their sins.” The name Jesus (Joshua) comes from combining two Hebrew words. The first part of the name “Yeh” was commonly attached to Old Testament names, either at the beginning or end, to serve as a reference to the God of Israel, “Jahweh,” “I AM,” which was the exclusive name of the God of Israel. The other Hebrew embedded in the name is the word “Shu’” which is the Hebrew word for “cry for help.” It describes God’s response to those who cry out to him. God responds to the cry and brings salvation and deliverance. Putting these two terms together in the name of Jeshua then results in the name meaning “The Lord is our help.”
In his pronouncement to Joseph, the angel makes it clear that the name “Jesus” is more than just a title or designation. It is a name that will define the purpose of his arrival. The Jews were looking for a Messiah, one who would come to bring political and national salvation to Israel. But the angel announces that this baby would do far more, for he would come to bring salvation for the people from their sins. In this name, we find the ultimate purpose of Christ’s coming.
Christ came not just to save us from our bondage of sin but also he came to save us from the judgment of sin. In the death of Christ, Christ broke the power of sin over us by redeeming us from evil. To celebrate Christmas is to celebrate is to keep one eye on the manger and the other eye on the cross. This week, as we anticipate the arrival of Christmas morning. We need to recognize that what we are celebrating is not just the birth of a baby in the manger; we are celebrating the one who came to answer our cry for help. He came to save us from sin.
Recent
Archive
2024
January
The Coming JudgmentThat is My KingThe Certainty of Christ's WordsThe Uncertain CertaintyThe Importance of Spiritual PreparednessThe Danger of Spiritual ComplacencyChrist's Measure of SuccessThe Unpopular TopicRejection, Confusion, Betrayal, and WorshipBetrayal and RedemptionThe Inexplicable Act of LoveBetrayal, Bravado, and FearBetrayal, Bravado, and FearThe Unlikely Witnesses of Jesus' DietyRemorse, Repentance and ForgivenessThe Power of the Crowd and the Power of FaithThe Irony of the CrucifixionThe Cost of SinThe Cure for SinThe Reality of the ResurrectionLiving a Life of SignificanceThe Attitude of a SlaveThe Basis for Confident LivingThe Basis for Confident Living
February
The Prayer God AnswersWhen Adversity Becomes a TriumphFinding Joy in the Ministry of OthersPursuing the InsignificantPerspective in SufferingThe Sacrifice of SelfIf God can do it, then why can't we.The "Kenosis" of Christ"THE NAME"Divine Initiative and Human ResponsibilityThe Age of ComplaintReorienting our Focus Pt 1
March
Reorienting Our Focus Pt 2The Basis of SalvationDetermining ValueSetting the Right Goal in LifeFollowing the Right PeopleRecognizing our CitizenshipResponding to ConflictThe Keys to PeaceLearning to Think RightlyThe Secret of ContentmentThe Blessing of GivingA Life without SignificanceThe Futility of LifeThe Endless PursuitThe Futility of PleasureThe Limits of WisdomEvaluating Our WorkFinding Joy in LifeThe Doctrine of Right Time
April
May
Finding BalanceThe Folly of AllObeying Those in LeadershipWhen Injustice ReignsKeeping Perspective in an Upredictable WorldFinding Success in the World of VanityThe Value of Wisdom in the Struggles of LifeThe Danger of Foolish ThinkingTrusting in God's Unseen HandEnjoy the MomentAct before it is too late.The Geneology of Christ: A Testimony of God’s Grace and SovereigntyChrist the KingThe Authority of Christ
June
The Compassion of ChristThe God who cares for us.The Power of JesusThe ServantChrist the JudgeThe Compassion of ChristScandalous GraceThe Power of Christ Over DeathWho Is Jesus?The Majestic KingThe TIming of GodThe Value of NothingThe Basis for Security in LifeThe Joy of The FatherThe Grace of JesusThe Divine WordThe Greatest Prayer
Categories
no categories
No Comments