Call His Name Jesus

Angels told both Mary and Joseph that Mary’s baby would be named Jesus. To Joseph, the angel added, He will save His people from their sins. (Mt. 1:21 NKJV)

Jesus means Savior. Today the name is immediately recognizable as the personal name of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah or the Christ. It is the name of God’s son when He lived in a human body. But it wasn’t always so. When Jesus lived on earth, the name was common, a variation of the older Hebrew name Joshua.

Nevertheless, the name was important even then, because it identified Jesus’ primary ministry. For although Jesus did many wonderful things—He taught people, He performed miracles, and He demonstrated God’s love as He lived His daily life—His primary purpose was to redeem or to save people from sin. Other men of God had taught and performed miracles. Only Jesus had and has the power to save.

Originally published December 20, 1991.

Too Much to Grasp

Although the Hebrew slaves in Egypt knew something about God, they didn’t walk with Him or live in relationship with Him, and they had no understanding of His nature. God instructed Moses, say to the children of Israel: I am the Lord; I will bring you out from under the burden of the Egyptians . . . I will redeem you with an outstretched arm. . . . (Ex. 6:6 NKJV)

This was too much for the people of slavery to grasp, so they didn’t listen to Moses. Their pain was too deep to understand thoughts about a future and a hope.

It’s possible to live this way today. We might know something about God. But if we don’t have a vital connection with Him we cannot overcome our problems. When that happens, we are unable to hear God’s Word. We might even live in bondage.

While we struggle, God waits to reveal Himself. John the Baptist said to the people of Jesus’ time, There stands One among you whom you do not know. (Jn. 1:26b) The same is true today. The Spirit of Jesus is real. Ask Him to reveal Himself and move for you.

Originally published June 28, 1991.