The Names of God: Jesus

"She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21, HCSB).

The name, Jesus, is the a good place to start when discussing the names of God the Son. Jesus means that Yahweh saves or Yahweh is salvation. It stresses his connection to the God of the covenant and his role as the fulfillment of that covenant. The angel's explanation gives us a better understanding of what God intended by the name Jesus.

The context compels us to see Jesus as Savior, thus linking Jesus and Yahweh. The angel states "He will save" not "Yahweh will save through him." The divinely appointed name highlights Jesus' unique role as Savior. Yahweh, the Lord, alone is Savior. Yet, under the command of heaven, the angel announced that this child, Jesus, would save.

The angel's statement also highlights Jesus' divinity by listing the object of salvation. Joseph is told that Jesus would save his people. Even if we assume the angel meant that Jesus would save those who were of the same ethnicity (race), the overall context suggests Jesus' relationship to this people is more than just biological. The angel appears to be telling Joseph that Yahweh has come down to save his people. Matthew reminds his readers of this through his Old Testament quotations. Especially, when he says they shall call Mary's child Immanuel, which means God with us.

The angel also tells us what kind of Savior Jesus will be. Jesus saves his people from their sins. Sin has separated men from God, and they need forgiveness. Their lawlessness makes them the objects of God's wrath. In order to be reconciled to God, mankind needs someone who can deliver them. Only Jesus can save a lost and dying world.

So when we call on Jesus' name, we are proclaiming him as God and Savior. We are reminding ourselves of his role as our Savior. We are naming ourselves his people. Such a thought may not comfort some, but I'm glad I have a Savior who has rescued me from my sin.