Jesus: The Lord is Salvation

December 11

(Luke 2:21 NIV) “On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.”

(Matthew 1:21 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.”

(Mark 1:15 NIV) ““The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!””

(Acts 2:38 NIV) “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

When Jesus was eight days old, He was circumcised, in obedience to God’s command that was first given to Abraham, the father of faith. He was also named, and in obedience to the angel’s command, Joseph named Him Jesus. The name Jesus is a short form of the name, Joshua, a hero in the Jewish culture. The name Jesus has a meaning, as many Hebrew names do. It means, “the Lord is salvation”. The angel told Joseph that Jesus would “save His people from their sins”, and this is what He did. He preached repentance. He called people to believe the good news. He died on a cross for our sins. Jesus came to save sinners! The Lord is salvation. Have you acknowledged your sin and repented? Some call this outdated teaching, but how can something that is eternal be outdated? Call on His name. Jesus saves! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day