TUESDAY December 10, 2024

His Name Is Jesus

But when she saw him [the angel Gabriel], 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 so troubled and unsettled in her thoughts when an angel suddenly appeared and spoke to her. The angel Gabriel calmed her fears and began to explain the wondrous plan she was to be part of. The angel reassured Mary that she had found favor with God.

Gabriel, thought to be an archangel, who stood in the presence of God, had an amazing message to give Mary. Although she was a virgin, she would conceive in her womb a Son, and she was to 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 was just a young teenager, already pledged in marriage to Joseph. She did not try to figure out her complicated future and the possible outcomes of being chosen to carry Jesus in her womb. She listened to the impossible; she listened with her heart and knew she was privileged, chosen and favored for this one task––to carry the Christ in her womb. She would leave all else, her future, in God’s hands.

Mary was told the name of her Child. It was already chosen for Him. He was to be called JESUS. In Hebrew, His name Yehoshua is shortened to Joshua, which means “Yahweh is salvation.” His name gives Him the purpose for why He was born––“...for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

Know this: Jesus did not come to be the Savior only for the Jewish nation, but also to become the Savior of the whole world. God loved you enough to leave heaven and become your personal Savior. Christmas is a perfect time to give Him your life.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
~John 3:16~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!