January 3--Most Holy Name of Jesus

 

The Holy Name of Jesus by Lawrence OP licensed under CC BY-NC-ND-2.0.

"Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil. 2:9-11).

What does the name "Jesus" actually mean? In Greek, it is "Ἰησοῦς". In Latin, it is "Iesus". In Hebrew and Aramaic it is "ישוע" or "Yeshua/Y'shua". It has the same root as the name "Joshua". It's meaning is given to us in the Scriptures when the angel Gabriel appears to Joseph in a dream and tells him: "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins" (Mt. 1:20-21). It literally means "Yahweh saves". The name is also connected to the prophecy from Isaiah: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means 'God is with us'" (Mt. 1:23/Is. 7:13).

Okay, that's the background!  What does that mean for us?  Lots!  One, Jesus' name gives us a real connection to a real human being who is also really God!  Second, since Jesus is God, his name is as holy as God's and his name must be respected.  It is not a curse word or an exclamation!  Third, and most important, it means we have a relationship with God on a first-name basis; he is our brother who loves us and calls us to love him.  Names have power.  Jesus' name saves!  Come, Lord Jesus!