December 21, 2004

JESUS

"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21, NKJV).

The name, "Jesus," is the most comforting, consoling, and well known of all His wonderful names. The hymn writer expresses it beautifully: "There's no other name like Jesus... sweet name, dear name, there's no other name like Jesus."

The name, "Jesus," is derived from the Hebrew words, meaning, "Jehovah is salvation," or "Jehovah will save." When the long-awaited Saviour was about to be born, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and Mary and expressly commanded them to name the newborn son, "Jesus," adding, "for He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21, NKJV). In effect, Jesus is our Saviour's only name. All others are special titles. Jesus is His personal name. It is preeminently human, given to Him as man. At the same time, it is preeminently divine since it is God-given.

The name, "Jesus," adorns the New Testament, appearing over 700 times, about 600 of which are found in the Gospels alone. The apostle John holds the record for using the name "Jesus"--more than 250 times. Paul spoke of the name, "Jesus," as the "name which is above every name" (Philippians 2:9). To the apostle Peter, it is the only "name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

That's why the Son of God became the Son of man. Even today, almost 2,000 years since this declaration, Jesus is still the most precious name in the universe. Truly, it is the "sweetest name I know." "The name of Jesus is all powerful. It is accepted of the Father, always. No other name will He honor. It is through faith in His name that we are saved. We are complete in Him."--Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, p. 453.

My Prayer Today: Lord, there is indeed no other name like Jesus. Through that matchless name I have eternal life. Amen.