Matthew 1:21 “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

In English today we pay little attention to the actual meaning of names, and many are indeed meaningless. However, in many cultures that’s not the case, and names were certainly important throughout the Bible. This pronouncement by the angel to Joseph, in a dream no less, was sufficient for him to overcome his very natural feelings and accept Mary as his legal wife. It’s not that Jesus (Joshua) was at all an unusual name at the time. That’s why as an adult his name was generally used with a qualifier of some sort, such as “of Nazareth,” or, by believers, “Christ.” The name, Yahweh is Salvation, was and is a potent reminder of why He was born in the first place. As the angel indicated, our sins put us in need of salvation, so God Himself has provided it through His Son. This is indeed the Gospel, the good news that all mankind needs to hear.

I was asked last night over the telephone if Jesus really would save the person who called me. I was glad to be able to answer that He would! The person calling is aware of physical and emotional problems, but he is also aware that he is a sinner, and that’s why I was able to answer with assurance. Someone who will not acknow­ledge their sin can expect no salvation. Physical, financial, emotional and all other sorts of difficulties are temporal, that is, they are limited to this life. However, the sin problem has eternal consequences, and that’s why we need salvation. The blessings that come with commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord are enormous even in this life, but they are also eternal, and that puts them in a completely different category from everything else. I’m sure Joseph understood what the angel said as meaning the Child to be born would save the Jews, but this was God becoming a human being; “his people” includes the entire human race. This is the message I preach! After all, I am a Gentile, as are the vast majority of my hearers/readers. This particular point was a hard one for the early Church to get past, but thankfully they did. Today we have the reverse problem of some Gentile believers trying to say the Jews have been replaced by the Church in God’s plan, but that’s a clear violation of Scripture. Everyone, Jew and Gentile, must come to God through Christ, (John 14:6) but that doesn’t nullify the promises of God. I am to proclaim Jesus Christ as the Savior of all mankind, “to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile.” (Romans 2:9-10)

P: Father, thank You for the many opportunities You give me to proclaim the Gospel, to groups and to individuals. I pray that more and more would accept and receive it with joy, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!