Thou Shalt Call His Name JESUS
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins (Matt. 1:21 KJV)
Jesus: the name spoken by angels, feared by demons, and exalted by all creation. This name is more than a word; it carries the weight of eternity and the power to transform lives. From the moment the angel declared it to Joseph, the name of Jesus has been a beacon of hope, promising salvation, deliverance, and eternal peace. What does this name mean to you today, and how can its power shape your life?
The name “Jesus,” derived from the Hebrew Yeshua, means “Jehovah is salvation.” While it was not uncommon in biblical times—borne by notable figures like Joshua, the son of Nun, who led Israel into the Promised Land, and Joshua the high priest, who participated in rebuilding the temple—it took on unparalleled significance in the incarnation of Christ. The angel’s instruction to Joseph, “Thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21, KJV), unveiled the ultimate fulfillment of this name’s meaning. Unlike those before Him who carried the name symbolically, Jesus of Nazareth embodied its truth. He is Jehovah in the flesh, saving humanity not just from earthly troubles but from sin—the root of all suffering.
This name is extraordinary for another reason: it carries power and authority to fulfill its meaning. Jesus signifies “Jehovah saves,” and every time His name is invoked, divine power is unleashed to save, heal, protect, and deliver. Those who bore the name Yeshua in the Old Testament did not carry this authority. For instance, no one could say, “In the name of Yeshua, the son of Nun, I command you.” But Jesus, the Son of God, endowed His name with divine authority. When you call on the name of Jesus, power is released, making the angel’s proclamation truly “good tidings of great joy” (Luke 2:10, KJV). God has come to save us, and He does so through the name of Jesus.
What does Christmas—and the name Jesus—mean to you? It is the ultimate good news. Jesus is God’s salvation for all human problems, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. Christmas reminds us that the Creator of heaven and earth became flesh to save His people. Praise God for the gift of His Son!
Meditate
How does the name of Jesus deepen your understanding of God’s plan for your life? How does it bring you confidence in facing challenges?
Act on the Word
Speak the name of Jesus in faith over your circumstances. Trust in the salvation, healing, and authority it represents. Let His name be your anchor and refuge.
Pray
Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your saving power and the authority in Your name. Help me to trust You completely and to declare Your name boldly over every challenge. Amen.
Recommended Read
- Was Jesus Born on December 25th?
- Missing Christ at Christmas: How the Religious Spirit Blinds Us to the Manger
- The Meaning of the Name Jesus
- Jesus: the Sum of All the Jehovah Names and Titles
- View All Deshen Daily Devotionals
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