CHRISTMAS STORY: THE NAME OF JESUS

 

CHRISTMAS STORY: THE NAME OF JESUS The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS." Luke 1:30-31 The name of JESUS is a significant part of the Christmas story. The angel Gabriel told both Mary and Joseph what to name the child. An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:20-21 God the Father chose this name for his Son. The name means, GOD SAVES.  In Hebrew it is YESHUA but after being translated through Greek, Latin, and other languages it has been anglicized to Jesus. Yeshua is widely used as well, especially among Messianic Jews.  The 12 disciples baptized people in the name of the Lord Jesus. They healed people in the name of Jesus. They cast out demons in the name of Jesus. They preached in the name of Jesus. They prayed in the name of Jesus. The name of JESUS has been at the core of Christian faith from the beginning. In Revelation 3:8, Jesus commended those who are faithful to His name: "I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name." Christ Jesus himself promises favor and rewards for those who are faithful to live for Jesus! The name of Jesus should be part of our conversation every single day. Those who love the name of Jesus are happy to talk about him. But some people are uncomfortable when I say His name. There's no doubt that Jesus changed the world. He made such an impact that the dates of history have revolved around his birth. If there is ONE person that we should study, out of all the wise and gifted people who have ever lived: that one person is JESUS.