WEDNESDAY December 10, 2025

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 because, all of a sudden, an angel had appeared and spoke to her. Angel Gabriel calmed her fears and began to explain God’s wondrous plan she was chosen to be part of.

Gabriel, thought to be an archangel, stood in the presence of God, had an amazing message to give Mary. He reassured her that she had found favor with God. Although 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 who was already pledged in marriage to Joseph. She did not try to figure out her complicated future or the outcome of being pregnant before marriage. She listened to the impossible and knew she was privileged, chosen and favored to do this one task––carry the Messiah in her womb. She would leave all else in God’s faithful hands.

Mary was instructed by the angel to call her Child Jesus. In Hebrew, His name Yehoshua, which is shortened to Joshua, means “Yahweh is salvation.” His name reflects 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 for only the Jewish nation; He came to become the Savior of the world. Did you know that God loved you so much that He left heaven to come to earth, to be your personal Savior? Christmas is a perfect time to respond and 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!