Names

 N.T. #4 "Names"

Feb. 10, 2023

Matthew 1-Part 4

LET IT GLOW

When we were expecting our children, I looked in books to see what the meaning of their names were. Both had the same root word and meaning-"crowned one." They are so special to us, even though sometimes we did want to crown them all right. but we love them and God loves them. Names were significant during the Bible times. Read on to learn what "Jesus" means.

As we continue reading about the genealogy of Jesus through Joseph, His adopted father, we realize that Matthew skipped over Ahaziah, Athaliah, Joash, Amaziah, and Uzziah. Perhaps this shorthand was in order to divide them into 3 divisions of 14 each, with theocracy, monarchy, and hierarchy. 

And then there is Joseph, the husband of Mary mentioned last. It does not say that Joseph begat Jesus. Jesus was born to Mary, not Joseph. This is significant in that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit. It was the power of God, not man. Jesus was God-Man, fully God and fully man.

This one of the foundations of our belief. Do you believe it?

LET IT GROW

What names are used in reference to Jesus?

• Jesus (Jeshua) is called the Christ. (verse 16)
• The Hebrew Jeshua means the Lord is Salvation. 
• Christos (Greek) means Annointed One and is the exact equivalent of the Hebrew word Messiah. 
• Son of David is a title used in the Gospels for Messiah. (22:42)
• Son of Abraham takes Jesus' royal lineage all the way back to Israel's inception in the Abrahamic covenant. (Gen. 12:1-3)

So Jesus' name is of significance. He is the Annointed One of God, the Messiah Himself.

I marvel at this plan that God our Father and Jesus our Savior planned out before the creation of everything. The thing is, Jesus came for sin-sick sinners to make us well. It was in the fulness of time that Jesus came to earth, not to be born in a palace, but in a stinky stable. Not of royalty, although He was, but as an ordinary person, and a baby to boot. 

Does it really matter who our ancestors are? No, we all come to Jesus at the foot of the cross, and by faith.

LET IT GO

Jesus, You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

We bow down and worship You.

Thank You Jesus for loving us Gentiles.