The names of my grandchildren were a closely guarded secret by their parents until the babies were born. Then, at the hospital, my son handed me a little bundle and said “Dad, meet June.” I was overwhelmed. Two years later, the announcement came via telephone, “His name is Otto David”—a grandson and my namesake. All at once, these pregnancies received identities. They became little people making history and possessing a destiny. Since those birthdays, both children have continued to grow into their names. They are becoming exactly what we expect a “June” and an “Otto” to be.
When the angel announced the miraculous conception of Christ, the Christmas baby’s name was no secret. Joseph was told, “Mary…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 1:20-21).
Call Him “Jesus.”
This given name was quite common in ancient Israel. Archeologists have located the tombs of more than 70 people with the name “Jesus” from this time period. Just as the name “Michael” has been the most popular name in the United States during 44 of the last 100 years, Jesus might well have been named Mike if He was born today. Still, as common as it may have been, Jesus’ name fit Him better than any other Jesus before or after.
His name means “The Lord saves.” Throughout the Old Testament, Israel looked for and longed for the day of God’s rescue. Facing imminent threat from their enemies, Jeremiah prophesied,
“The days are coming,” declares the Lord,
“when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
and do what is just and right in the land.
In his days Judah will be saved
and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called:
The Lord Our Righteousness.” (Jeremiah 23:5-6)
Jesus is the Branch from the family tree of David. He is the reigning King from heaven. He is the righteous Lord. He is God who has come to rescue Judah and Israel and everyone else. His name is His mission: God saves!
JOSHUA TO JESUS
To better understand Jesus’ rescuing ministry, let’s look back at another “Jesus” in the past. Joshua in Hebrew means the same thing as Jesus in Greek. Joshua is a shadow of Jesus in the Old Testament, and the New Testament writers regard him as such. As the Israelites fled Egypt, initially under Moses’ guidance, Joshua was appointed to bring God’s people home. Under his leadership, the people of God were saved from, through and for something.
First, God’s people were saved from their Egyptian enemies and the desperate wilderness wandering that followed. Joshua was used by God to lead people out of an oppressive, hopeless past and into a new future with God. In the same way, Jesus came to rescue people from the dominion of darkness (1 Peter 2:9). Sin, Satan and death is the enemy of every person and Jesus came to save us from all three. Through His death on the cross, our sin may be forgiven and, through His resurrection from the dead, our victory over the devil and our resurrection from the dead is guaranteed. Through Jesus, God has saved us from our past.
God also saves us through our present circumstances. As the people of God approached the land of Canaan, the Jordan River blocked their easy passage home. But, reminiscent of Moses at the Red Sea crossing, Joshua stepped into the surging river, the waters stopped upstream, and the multitudes crossed over on dry ground. Similarly, the Christian faces seemingly uncrossable obstacles in this life—temptation, suffering, pressure and persecution. But Jesus has gone before us, stepping into the stream and showing us the way through. He leads us to victory and endurance and peace and steadfastness of hope (Philippians 4:13).
Ultimately, God rescues us for life with Him. Just as Joshua led the Israelites from the wilderness, through the river and into the promised land, so Jesus leads us out of sin and death, through the struggles of this life and finally into the promised land of the Kingdom of God. Hebrews 4:8 states that if the people of God had received their final rest simply by inheriting Canaan, Joshua would not have spoken about another, better rest in the future. God did not save people for life here, but a home with Him forever (John 14:1-4).
This Christmas, celebrate the wonder of Jesus. His name reveals His necessity. In Jesus Christ, God completes His rescue mission in the world. Through the birth of His Son, God has saved us from the past, saves us through our present circumstances and saves us for eternity with Him. Merry Christmas!