Name Above All Names

Of all the names we have ascribed to Jesus, the greatest is the name we call Him most commonly.  His name is Jesus.  God gave Him this great name before His birth.  He said to Joseph, “And she (Mary) will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”  (Matt. 1:21)  All the other names we have looked at are ones He used to describe Himself or that others used to describe Him.  Jesus is His name given by God.  That makes it a pretty special name.

In Hebrew it is Yeshua or Joshua.  The name literally means “Jehovah is salvation” or “The Lord’s salvation”.  That is why God said to Joseph, “For He shall save His people from their sins”.  He is the salvation of God.  Peter proclaimed this great truth to the Jewish council in Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.”  In all of the world, in every land and culture and religious system, there is only one name that will save.  That name is Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God. 

His name is Savior.  Peter pointed out that “we must be saved”.  This is not an option.  We need it.  We are lost and perishing.  We will pass from death unto death without the name of Jesus.  That name does not just mean Jesus the man.  It does not just mean Jesus the servant.  It does not just mean Jesus the teacher.  It does not just mean Jesus the coming King.  That name means salvation and when we come to Jesus for salvation He will not turn us away.  What we need Him for is to save us from the earned punishment for our sins.  He has satisfied the justice God demands for payment for our sins by His own death and resurrection. 

This is a name worth sharing.  It is a name that has the power to transform people into the very children of God with all the rights thereof.  It is the only name that will give them eternal hope.  Let’s spread the joyful sound of that Name!  Priscilla Owens captured the joy of this name in her song “Jesus Saves!” “We have heard the joyful sound: Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Spread the tidings all around: Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Bear the news to every land, climb the mountains, cross the waves; onward! ’Tis our Lord’s command; Jesus saves! Jesus saves!     Give the winds a mighty voice: Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Let the nations now rejoice: Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Shout salvation full and free; highest hills and deepest caves; this our song of victory: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!”

  The Friday Benediction

Until Monday, my friends, may the good God envelop you with His grace; may you prove the common confession of faith, “I believe in the holy Christian church and in the fellowship of the saints”, and may you be enriched with joy and hope as you exercise that confession this weekend.  Amen

 

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