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
2025
January
Who do we listen to?God's Patience and the Certainty of JudgmentThe Present Implications of the FutureAcknoweldgement, Confession, and ForgivenessThe Mark of a Genuine DiscipleThe Unchanging WordThe Lost ARt of DiscernmentA Life that Pleases GodThe Subtle Danger of Spiritual PrideContending for the FaithThe Judgement of False TeachersKeep Our Faith in a Fallen WorldSecurity in a Insecure WorldThe God who Controls HistoryThe Terrifying Majesty of ChristThe Majesty of GodThe Praise of God's JusticeHaving Right Priorities in Life
February
The Autobiography of GodThe God who CreatesThe God who RecreatesThe God Who Gives Us SignificanceThe Blessing of God's PlansTrusting in the Timing and Plan of GodThe God who ProvidesGod's Sovereignty and GraceThe King of Self or the King of KingsThe Exclusive Worship of GodHas God Forgotten?The Wonder of God's Plan and TimingGod's Sovereignty and Forgiveness
March
When Life and Faith Do Not AlignThe Jealousy of GodThe Judgment and Delieverance of GodGod's Provision, Presence and ProclamationSalvation and TransformationA Dwelling for GodThe Righteous and Loving GodPreparing for God's PresenceThe Requirements of a Holy GodThe Sacrifices and ChristThe Holiness of God and the Uncleanness of HumanityPrioritizing GodThe Severity and Grace of HolinessGod's Blessings and DisciplineAproaching God on His Terms
April
A Call to HolinessOpportunity or FailurePride and HumilityA Talking Donkey and a Prophetic JackassTransitions and EmpowermentThe God of JusticeThe Danger of Spiritual ForgetfulnessObedience and the Danger of ComplacencyThe Most Important DecisionThe Test of a ProphetHOLINESS AS A WAY OF LIFEThe ChoiceThe Faithfulness of God and the Fickleness of Man
May
Fear and FaithVictory and DefeatThe Justice and Mercy of GodThe Long Term Consequences of Incomplete ObedienceThe Danger of Spiritual ComplacencyMan's Fickleness and God's FaithfulnessGod's Power on DisplayUnlikely HeroesThe Danger of Self-delusionThe Grace and Holiness of godThe Danger of Cultural AccommodationThe Failure of Disobedience20/20 Spiritual VisionWhenn Life Does Not Go as PlannedFaith, Fear, and Divine ProtectionGod's Sovereignty and Humanh FrailtyA Lesson in God's Holiness and Grace
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' Diety
Categories
no categories
No Comments