"What is in a name?”—a quote by Shakespeare may be known to us. Well! There is much to the name- JESUS! Biblical names express meanings and we would well acquaint ourselves with a few. The name ‘Jesus’ is the Greek form of Yeshua or Joshua in Hebrew giving the meaning  ‘Saviour’ or ‘God who is our Saviour.’

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The Angel of the Lord appeared to Mary and declared God’s plan in bringing forth His Son into the world wherein she would be an instrument. In Matthew 1:23 it is was told to Joseph, her betrothed: “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” Sin had entered the world at the fall of man and its just punishment was death- but God so loved the world (each of us) that He was willing to give His one and only Son (John 3:16) to become man and pay the penalty of man’s sin so that man would be saved from eternal separation from God. Jesus came to save! His name means Saviour! “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

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Though an ordinary name for the Jews of His day, today the name of Jesus has power! How did/does the name of Jesus carry the authority as we experience today? We need to understand from Phil.2:6-11 that Jesus made Himself of no reputation, willingly took upon the human nature and became obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross that God exalted Him and has given Him a name which is above every other name and at His name every knee will bow and tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is LORD! The name of Jesus carries power! The believer is given authority in His name to work on His behalf on this earth. In His name, demons are cast out, sick are healed, the bonded are set free, mighty miracles are performed to bring glory to Him (Mark 16:17). In His name we pray, and we know God hears our prayer! The name of Jesus is mighty!

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Today the world celebrates Christmas, to mark the birth of Christ—many without conceiving why Jesus was born. It has mostly become an empty meaningless celebration of revelry and festivity, Jesus being nowhere in the picture! Jesus, God Himself, chose to be born in the womb of a virgin and become like one of us and live among us so that “in all things he had to be made like his brethren…” (Heb.2:17) and become a propitiation (appeasement) for our sins. Mary said to the angel who came to her with God’s plan for the salvation of mankind: “Let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) Would you too be willing to answer thus to your Maker? – that’s a word of surender of your life! 

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Dear friend, only if  Christ Jesus is born in your heart today, does Christmas hold any meaning to you. Will you make Him your Saviour (as His name means) today?

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The Promise:

“But as many as received Him [Jesus], to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His [Jesus’] name…” (John 1:12)

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Listen- ‘There’s something about that Name’