What is in a name? If parents are expecting a child,they often spend much time finding a name that pleases them both and will suit their child. Hopefully a meaningful name is chosen that the child can live with for the rest of their lives. In Matthew 1:20-21,another child is named. The angel reassures Joseph about the new life growing in Mary’s womb. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit. This child would receive a name—Jesus. The meaning of that name is made very clear,“And thou shalt call his name Jesus,for he shall save his people from their sins.” If you were to break down this name it would be a compound name—Jehovah saves. It is this Name and Person that is central to the message of Christmas.
What’s in Jesus name? Everything. To the believer,it is the most beautiful Name in the world because He has saved us from their sins. To the sinner,lost in sin and darkness,this Name pierces that darkness and sin with a message of hope and salvation. He shall save His people from their sins. There is so much gospel contained in this one name of Jesus. It fits His character perfectly. He is the Lord and He saves.
From the moment He was conceived and given this name by the angel,the cross was already in view. The Name ‘Jesus’ meant that He had to save sinners through the way of the cross. He had to bear the wrath of God against sin. He had to suffer and die to fulfill this name. He had to rise again from the dead to validate His Name as Jesus. He was an ordinary baby,born in the pain and agony of childbirth. He was in all respects a normal child,growing in every aspect into adulthood. But he was much more than that. He is Jesus—the Lord who saves.
Do you know this Name in a personal saving way? If you do,praise be to God! If you don’t,flee to Him with all your sin and receive salvation because that is what He came to do—He shall his people from their sins. If you don’t flee then you will be forced to bow and confess the Name of Jesus,but not in a saving way,but in a way that will serve to your condemnation. The message of Christmas is one of hope. It is a message of a Name and what that Name came to do on the cross. What’s in His name for you this Advent season?
