Luke 1:31 (KJV) “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call His name JESUS.
Our Scriptural text today is an angelic announcement made to Mary, a virgin betrothed to a man named, Joseph. At the time of this angelic announcement, Israel was under Roman rule. Heavy taxes, political oppression, and social tension filled the land. Many Jews longed passionately for a “Messiah” who would deliver them from foreign powers. At this time also, the land was spiritually hungry. No prophet had spoken for 400 years (from Malachi to Matthew – the Intertestamental Period). Into this dry and silent world, an angel broke the silence with a message carrying hope and salvation.
Names were highly significant in Jewish culture. Names were prophetic, identity-forming, destiny-shaping, and they were often given by fathers, not mothers. To name a child was to speak destiny over them. Now, in Jesus’ case, the Father in heaven provided the name. The Hebrew equivalent of the name JESUS (Greek: Iēsous) is YESHUA. It means, YAHWEH SAVES” or “The LORD is Salvation.” Yeshua was a known name (e.g., Joshua), but in the case of Jesus, He was not just Yeshua or Jesus, He is JESUS, the CHRIST (Greek: Christos; Hebrew: Mashiach [Messiah]) meaning, “The Anointed One” (Mat. 1:1,16; 16:16). Acts 10:38 (KJV) says, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Christ is not Jesus’ last name – it is His title. When the New Testament calls Him Jesus Christ, it means Jesus is the long-awaited Deliverer.
Now, the name Jesus revealed His assignment on earth. The entire purpose of His coming wrapped into a single name – “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins” (Mat 1:21). Are you bound in sin? Are you still a slave to sin? You can be free today, if you will accept JESUS CHRIST into your heart, to be your Lord and personal Saviour. He will save you from all your sins. Hallelujah! Call upon His name, today. Romans 10:13 (KJV) says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Hallelujah!!!
Written by: Andrew A. Esemudje