One named Jesus

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.

Matthew 1:21

It was Joseph who was instructed to name Jesus. The righteous and just Joseph, who would be asked to be earthly father to the Son of God was given this honor to name Jesus, with the revelation that this was no mere child. Jesus was the Savior of His people. This saving work was unlike that of any previous king, judge, or deliverer from Israel’s past. Jesus would deliver from sin… a task no other earthly king could ever do.

Jesus is named a Savior while still in the womb of Mary. He is revealed to save from sins even as His earthly home is being pieced together in order to prepare for Him. The Son of God is already going to save before His first breath would be drawn in that Bethlehem manger. And his parents had to accept the enormous gift and responsibility for that coming salvation even as the fearful task of raising a sin-savior-son came to them.

Lord Jesus,

Joseph called Your name Jesus as the angel instructed him because he believed the Word of the Lord… that You would save Your people from their sins. This morning as I pray in grateful wonder because I am one whom You have delivered, I realize that although You are the world’s Savior, You are uniquely my Savior. I wrestle with my constant reminder of my need for You. I am indeed a sinner. I am a believer too. I trust You for saving grace. And I am still sadly quite broken. Honestly, a fitful night tossed around in that brokenness has me right where I need to be in appreciation for Your saving work. I am so broken that I screw up even my closest relationships with selfish nearsightedness that wounds others. And I am blind to it. It hurts when I realize I have done it. I need saving from myself. I need You, Jesus, to save me from myself… to save me from my sin. Thank God there is One named Jesus!

Amen