Monday, December 22, 2008
Matthew 1:21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.
HE SHALL BE CALLED: JESUS
What's in a name? Expectant parents weigh carefully the list of possible names for their coming child. Businesses, churches, newspapers, and even subdivisions all have names. Those names convey a message to people. Some may not care about the message behind the name, but others will.
If we study our Bibles carefully we will find that names mean a great deal to God. We will find that there is a lot that can be learned about a person from his name. There were many times throughout Biblical history that the LORD came to those who believed in Him and told them the significance of a name. Time and time again the LORD came to say: "You shall call his name . . ."
God told Abraham to name his son Isaac, which means "he laughs." It was a reminder of Abraham (and later Sarah's) reaction to God's promise of a son (Genesis 17:17-19, 18:12).
The LORD told the prophet Hosea to name his son Lo-Ammi, which means "not a people" as an example to the people of Israel that He had rejected them because of their disobedience (Hosea 1:9).
There are many more examples, but we begin to see the importance God places in a name. Throughout this Christmas week we will be considering more names that the LORD gave to His Old Testament people. Specifically, we will be considering just a few of the many names that were given to the promised Savior of the world.
The angel of the LORD appeared to Joseph and said: "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary 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).
Yes, we know Him as Jesus, but there are many other names that were given Him -- many long before He was ever born.
Jesus! Name of Priceless worth
To the fallen sons of earth
For the promise that it gave,
"Jesus shall His people save."
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 114:3)
