SUNDAY 11 December, 2016
His Name is Jesus
But when she saw him,she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. - Luke 1:29-31
Mary was troubled––unsettled in her thoughts but the angel reassured the trembling woman. Mary had found favor with God. Then the angel told her the most amazing message, Mary would conceive in her womb,a Son, she would name him––Jesus. This miracle would be a fulfillment of Scripture found in Isaiah 7:14: Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel––God with us.
Imagine, Mary, a young teenager, had been chosen to carry Jesus in her womb. The Jewish people knew the Scriptures and understood, by them, that the Messiah would be born. They fully expected Him to be their Savior and save them from their oppressive enemies. This was the great hope of the Jews, suffering under a Roman occupation––that the Messiah would deliver them and set up His kingdom on earth.
Mary’s child was to be called JESUS. The Hebrew meaning: Yehoshua, shortened to Joshua, means Yahweh saves or Yahweh is salvation. What was the purpose of His birth? The name JESUS, relates to us His mission––for He will save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). But Jesus is not only Savior to the Jewish nation. God has shown His love, by giving His greatest gift––His Son, for the salvation of the whole world!
This Christmas season, are you mindful of God’s plan, to bring about your own salvation? The birth of Christ shows God’s great love towards you.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
~John 3:16~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!