The Angel Gabriel told Joseph, Mary’s espoused Husband, that Jesus was indeed the Son of God. Yes, Mary’s “Virgin Birth” Story was true! Then the angel continued: “She shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” So says Matthew 1:21.

The Lesson today is found in this short clause, “CALL HIS NAME JESUS!”

Named before Birth!

Mary herself was given the same instructions as well. “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.” By the very same angel, in Luke 1:31.

Two times given, this same assignment, emphasizes great importance.

Others in the Bible too were named before birth.

Ishmael in Genesis 16:11.

Isaac in Genesis 17:19.

Solomon in 1st Chronicles 22:9.

King Josiah in 1st Kings 13:2.

John the Baptist in Luke 1:13.

And then of course Jesus as we have seen.

But the greatest of these is our Lord, JESUS!

Why was God the Son given such a Name, “Jesus?”

The angel answered the question, basing his reply on the meaning of the Name. “For He shall save His people from their sins.”

Jesus (in Greek “Iesous”) means “salvation!”

In Hebrew it’s “Yehoshua,” literally, “Jehovah is Salvation!”

Yes, Jesus is Saviour!

Think about Him today.

Enjoy the fact that He has saved your soul!

And if not, ask Him, trust Him, to do so today.

“How,” one might ask?

Jesus answers: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24

Amen!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell