Jesus
Scripture:
Matthew 1:21-25; Luke 2:21; Acts 4:12
“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.”
(Matthew 1:21)
Reference Scriptures:
Psalm 9:14;
Isaiah 12:2,3;
Acts 4:12; 7:45;
Hebrews 4:8
The best way to get to know a person is to study their name. Therefore, it is necessary for us to examine and meditate on the names of the Lord in the Bible, and to further understand and recognize this wonderful Lord from the meaning of these names.
The first name we want to examine is "Jesus". This is the most commonly used name in the New Testament. It is also the name God incarnate took for himself in the world. It appears more than 500 times in the four Gospels and 909 times in the New Testament. It is worth noting that the first and last verses of the New Testament have this name (Matt 1:1, Rev 22:21), which shows its importance.
"Jesus" means "Jehovah's salvation", because He wants to save his people from sin. The Greek "Jesus" in the New Testament is exactly the Hebrew "Joshua" in the Old Testament, Joshua, Jeshua, Jehoshua. Every time "your salvation, my salvation, or his salvation" is used in the Old Testament, it is actually the same word "Jesus" in the New Testament, so the name of Jesus is actually hidden in the Old Testament In many places. Next time you read the "salvation" or "salvation" in the Old Testament, you may wish to change to the name of Jesus, and you will have an unexpected experience.
Among all the hymns, the name Jesus is used the most. This is a name above all names. It can soothe sorrow and drive away fear; It can help us resist Satan and whoever prays in the name, will receive. More importantly: Because “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”Acts 4:12 (NIV)
Meditate
1. If you can compare the life of Joshua in the Old Testament with the life of Jesus in the New Testament, you will find that there are many similarities. Try to list them out! Doesn't the Lord also give the spiritual promised land of milk and honey to all who believe in Him?
2. Jesus is the incarnation of "salvation" that often appears in the Old Testament. Arthur E. Glass teaches us how to interpret the Old Testament in this way in his book "The Name of Jesus in the Old Testament." Say/read Isaiah 12:2 - 3 like this:
Surely God is my [Jesus]; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my [Jesus].” With joy you will draw water from the wells of [Jesus].”
How wonderful is the name of Jesus!
Prayer
Lord, how wonderful is the "Name of Jesus".
Your name is above all names.
All the beauty of our victory, life, and salvation
depends on the "Name of Jesus".
I pray this in Jesus’ name,
Amen!
