13 December

And you shall call his name Jesus

“And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matt 1:21

Christians often talk about the name of Jesus, about its power or beauty, but what does the name Jesus actually mean? 

God wasn’t given his name by someone else, so he could have chosen to be known by any name (Perfect, Wise, Strong, Judge, Teacher, Friend, Healer...), but he chose the name ‘Jesus’, which means 'Yahweh Saves' or 'Saviour'. That is the primary way he wants us to relate to him: Jesus is the one who saves, and we, his people, are the ones who need to be saved from our sins. 

The very essence of the gospel is built into Jesus’ name: we need the saviour, because no matter how hard we try we cannot save ourselves. How amazing is that!

How does knowing that Jesus means Saviour change how you view your need for Him?

Rejoice in knowing that your salvation is secure in the hands of Jesus and his finished work on the cross, and not dependent on your good works.

 Ask Jesus, the Saviour, to save those around you who do not yet know Him.

Joel Miller