Good morning. I pray that your Christmas was filled with great joy. On this day after Christmas, I would like to have us think about what the scripture tells us happened after His birth. We continue with Luke 2:21
And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
It was the Law. On the 8th day after birth the child must be presented to the priests where with a bit of ceremony (naturally) he was circumcised. Jesus was born into God’s people, which was in keeping with God’s plan and promise, announced to Abraham and to all who would follow.
The other important part of this ceremony was the naming of the child. He was called, “Jesus”. In truth, He wasn’t. In truth, He was called by the Hebrew name Joshua. Jesus is the Greek form of that name, and since the New Testament was written first in Greek, it is the name Jesus that we have come to accept.
Joshua, in Hebrew, is an ancient name. Moses’ right hand during the time of the Exodus was named Joshua. It was that same Joshua who led God’s people into the Promised Land and guided them to victories in God’s Name.
In Hebrew, Joshua means “the one who saves”. In short, Joshua simply means: “Savior”.
It was the name commanded to be given to God’s Son as the angel Gabriel spoke to Joseph: “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.” Matthew 1:21
When you say His name, you are recognizing Him as your Savior. This was, is, and has always been, God’s intention. Let there be no doubt, His name is Jesus, and He is the One who saves us from our sins.
Vern