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.

His Gift to Us

Both general sins, the kind committed by people as a whole, and specific sins, the kind committed by an individual, can be overwhelming.

We're often plagued by one of two problems when dealing with our overwhelming sinful nature. We might refuse to acknowledge the sin because the thought is too much for us—so we do not accept God's gift of salvation. Or we might be overcome by guilt because the sin seems so awful that it cannot be forgiven—so we do not accept God's gift of salvation.

A psalmist looked at our dilemma differently. He wrote, If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness. . . . (Ps. 130:3,4a NIV)

The psalmist was not downcast or dismayed when he reflected on his sinful state because he looked beyond himself and directed his attention to the One who can provide a solution. He affirmed the nature of God, because God, not people, holds the key. The psalmist recognized that, with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. (v. 7b)

God clearly states in His Word—including the Old Testament—that salvation for forgiveness from sin is a gift that He provides. Our sinful nature is real and fearsome—but God’s solution is big enough to take care of it.

Originally published January 14, 1983.
Picture: Como Park Conservatory, St. Paul, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Rejoice in Suffering?

Most of us do not rejoice if we think we are suffering. In fact, most of us will do anything we can to avoid it.

That is a healthy reaction. Avoiding pain or suffering is a God-given instinct, and we should pay attention to His gifts. God does not want us to approach life by looking for circumstances that bring suffering—not even if they seem to bring a measure of honor or glory.

But if or when suffering occurs, it can have a positive impact upon our development. God can use suffering to lead us into a deeper relationship with Jesus.

Suffering is also intimately connected to a working knowledge of God's sovereign power. If we submit suffering to Him, He reveals Himself to us in our circumstances. He is faithful and He begins working in our hearts to reflect His nature.

Paul wrote, we also rejoice in our suffering because . . . suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. . . . (Rom. 5:3-5 NIV)

If we take our problems to God, we become aware of His presence and we learn again that He is real.

Originally published May 31, 1985.

He Became a Curse

Believers receive favor from God. But there is the nasty possibility of rejecting His salvation as a gift and coming under a curse.

We do not like to think about such things, but the Bible tells us that whenever we try to earn something from God rather than receive it as a gift, we put ourselves under the law.

We condemn ourselves when we choose to trust our ability to obey the law. In fact, Paul quoted Deuteronomy 27:26 when he wrote, All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." (Gal 3:10 NIV) And no one can do everything.

This grates against most of us—and even against our upbringing. We want to think we deserve what we have. Many of us are performance oriented. We might look around and think we’re as good as most other people. And to make matters worse, if this is true, even though we can’t possibly fulfill the Law, the Law is still valid—still in effect.

But praise God! We can turn to Jesus. He fulfilled the law for us by always trusting His Father. He lived a perfect life. Yet in the end, Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. . . . (v. 13) And that is God''s greatest gift of grace to His children.

Originally published October 21, 1988.
Picture: Commercial display, West Fargo, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

I Have Redeemed You

It seems strange that God would have to redeem or buy back His people. After all, He is our Creator. In a real sense, everything He created—including people—belongs to Him. He’s the One who designed and made us.

But as individual people we consistently reject our Creator. We go our own way because we choose our will over His will. That’s the same as denying His ownership.

When we reject God’s ownership, we separate ourselves from Him. But from the beginning, God foreknew our human nature and inclination to sin. Before we turned away from Him, He had a plan to buy us back. He had a plan to redeem His people.

God didn’t keep His plan a secret. He shared it with the people of the Old Testament. We read in Isaiah, I have formed you . . . you will not be forgotten by Me! I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, and like a cloud your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you. (Is. 44:21b,22 NKJV)

Originally published August 4, 1989.
Picture: Tulips, Fargo, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

He Is the Savior

Our minds have trouble comprehending the many facets of our God. He has attributes that don’t always seem to agree. The Bible tells us He’s a God of love; it also tells us He’s a God justice. God says in Isaiah, For the day of vengeance is in my heart. . . . (Is. 63:4a NKJV) A few verses further Isaiah responds with, I will mention the lovingkindness of the Lord. . . . (v. 7a)

How do we reconcile these Scriptures? One commentator said God hastens over the work of His judgment but lengthens out his plan of salvation. I like that idea.

Other verses in Isaiah offers insight that helps: He became their Savior, in all their affliction He was afflicted . . . He redeems them. . . . (v. 8b,9a)

We can’t define our God, but He reveals Himself to meet our needs. If we need justice, He’s ready to show us what is right. If we need lovingkindness, He’s there to offer redemption. Our condition means that we need both. Thankfully, His ability to meet our need is unlimited. He is the Savior.

Originally published February 5, 1993.
Picture: Flowers, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2008. Photo by Solveig.