The Name Jesus

November 12

(Luke 1:28-31 NIV) ““The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." {29} Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. {30} But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. {31} You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.””

(Matthew 1:21-23 NIV) ““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." {22} All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: {23} "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" --which means, "God with us.””

(Philippians 2:8-11 NIV) “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! {9} Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, {10} that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, {11} and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

(Romans 10:8-11 NIV) ““But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: {9} That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. {10} For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. {11} As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.””

Mary was disturbed by the angel’s visit. What the angel called “favor” seemed like big trouble to her. Being pregnant out of wedlock would bring her shame, and possibly even death. But Mary and Joseph both received the same message: “Don’t be afraid. What’s happening to you is a God thing. You will have a son and His name is to be Jesus.” The name Jesus comes from the Hebrew word "Joshua", which means “Jehovah is salvation”. In Scripture, Joshua was a great leader who saved God’s people from their enemies and led them into the Promised Land. This baby was to be given the name of “Savior”, because He would save His people from their sins. He would be the “God who saves”. Jesus is still the God who saves, and at His name, every knee will eventually bow. But only those who bow on this side of eternity will be saved. Bow before Him today. Jesus is Lord. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day