Theme Verse: Luke 2:21 “After eight days had handed, it was time to circumcise the kid; and he was referred to as Jesus, the identify given by the angel earlier than he was conceived within the womb.”
Introduction
On the primary day of the yr, we’re reminded of the profound significance of the identify of Jesus, which is widely known through the Church’s observance of His Circumcision and Naming. At the present time, marking the eighth day after His start, invitations us to replicate on the reward of salvation that His identify embodies.
Someday a practice struggled by means of a heavy snowstorm. A lady along with her child deliberate to get off at a small station the place her husband was ready. She repeatedly reminded the brakeman, “Don’t overlook me!” When the practice stopped briefly, a fellow traveller advised her, “That is your cease.” Trusting him, she stepped off into the storm. Later, the brakeman requested, “The place’s the girl?” “She bought off on the final cease,” the traveller replied. Horrified, the brakeman mentioned, “That wasn’t a station. We stopped due to engine bother. She’s in peril!” Volunteers rushed again and located her frozen within the snow, her child alive and guarded in her arms. Trusting the improper voice, she stepped off into the storm, finally main her to demise. Tragically, she adopted a path that didn’t lead her to security, illustrating the significance of discernment in our journey.
Equally, as we enter this new yr, we’re referred to as to acknowledge the identify of Jesus as our true information. The angel of the Lord introduced to Mary, “You’ll conceive and provides start to a son, and you might be to name him Jesus” (Luke 1:31). This identify, that means “the Lord is salvation,” signifies that Jesus is not only a information however the very embodiment of salvation itself. Simply as the girl wanted to observe the precise voice to search out her method residence, we too should heed the decision of Jesus, who alone can lead us to everlasting life.
In a world stuffed with competing voices and distractions, violence and hatred, the identify of Jesus stands as a beacon of hope and reality. It reminds us that, not like the traveller who misled the girl, Jesus is the best way, the reality, and the life (John 14:6). As we embark on this new yr, allow us to decide to following His voice, trusting in His identify, and embracing the salvation He provides. In doing so, we be sure that we aren’t misplaced within the storms of life however are safely guided residence by the one who’s our Savior. As we transfer within the journey of religion, allow us to discover the identify of Jesus which is above all names.
(a) Identification within the Identify of Jesus
Names within the Bible usually carry deep significance, revealing id, character, or function. Adam’s identify means “man” or “earth,” reflecting his creation from mud, whereas Eve’s identify, that means “life” or “dwelling,” signifies her position because the mom of all dwelling. Equally, Abraham was renamed from Abram (“exalted father”) to Abraham (“father of many countries”) to replicate God’s covenant with him. Jacob, whose identify meant “deceiver,” was renamed Israel (“he struggles with God”) after wrestling with God. However in Jesus Christ, we discover a identify and id unparalleled in historical past—a reputation that not solely saves however transforms those that observe Him.
With the approaching of Jesus, humanity has acquired a brand new id. Within the New Testomony, there have been others named “Jesus,” however none may examine to Jesus of Nazareth. For example, Bar-Jesus, also referred to as Elymas, was a false prophet and sorcerer encountered by Paul on the island of Cyprus (Acts 13:6-12). He used his identify to mislead and deceive, opposing the reality of God. One other particular person, Jesus Justus, talked about in Colossians 4:11, was a trustworthy companion of the Apostle Paul. Regardless of their shared identify, neither Bar-Jesus nor Jesus Justus had the distinctive id or mission as of Jesus of Nazareth. It’s Jesus of Nazareth, born over 2,000 years in the past in Bethlehem, provides true id to those that honor His identify. By means of Him, we’re remodeled and given a brand new function present in His identify.
In new id, believers are given a brand new sense of self formed by God’s love and function. The transformation of Saul to Paul is likely one of the strongest examples of achieving new id within the New Testomony. Saul, a Pharisee and zealous Jew from Tarsus, initially persecuted Christians, viewing them as a menace to Judaism (Acts 8:1-3, Acts 9:1-2). Nonetheless, on the highway to Damascus, Saul encountered Jesus, who requested, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:3-6). This encounter gave him a brand new id, and Saul grew to become Paul. The identify “Saul,” a Hebrew identify honoring Israel’s first king, mirrored his Jewish heritage and pleasure. After his encounter with Jesus, he adopted the identify “Paul,” a Roman identify that means “small” or “humble,” aligning along with his mission to the Gentiles and his Roman citizenship (Acts 13:9). The identify itself describes the paradigm shift in his mission. After getting this new id in Jesus Christ, Paul grew to become able to die “for the identify of Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13)
(b) Salvation within the Identify of Jesus
What makes Christianity totally different from different religions and beliefs? In Christianity, God grew to become man in Jesus Christ to carry salvation to humankind. He by no means got here as a social or financial reformer, however because the Savior of the world. He didn’t merely tackle the signs of humanity’s brokenness however tackled its root trigger—sin. As Matthew 1:21 declares, “She’s going to give start to a son, and you might be to offer him the identify Jesus, as a result of he’ll save his folks from their sins.”
The identify “Jesus” reveals God’s plan for the salvation of the entire world. Humanity, together with the remainder of creation, was positioned below a curse due to unique sin. Isaiah 9:2-4 vividly describes the religious situation of humankind as being in darkness, demise, and slavery. However God’s response to this bleak state of affairs was the very best reward He may provide—a Savior in Jesus Christ, the Son of the dwelling God. The Hebrew phrase for salvation, Yeshuah, is intently related to God’s deliverance of His folks from bodily and religious oppression. The identify “Jesus” itself, derived from the Greek Iēsous and the Hebrew Yeshua or Yehoshua, means “Yahweh is salvation.” This identify embodies Jesus’ mission and id because the one despatched to rescue humanity from sin and its penalties. When Simeon noticed the toddler Jesus, he declared in Luke 2:29-32 “Sovereign Lord, as you could have promised, it’s possible you’ll now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you could have ready within the sight of all nations: a lightweight for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your folks Israel.” Simeon’s phrases spotlight the peace and satisfaction that salvation brings by means of Jesus—a lightweight to these in religious darkness and hope to all nations.
Jesus’ position as Savior is unparalleled and distinctive. Whereas different people within the New Testomony shared the identify “Jesus,” equivalent to Bar-Jesus or Jesus Justus, solely Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled God’s divine plan of salvation. In line with Acts 4:12: “Salvation is present in nobody else, for there is no such thing as a different identify below heaven given to mankind by which we should be saved.” In contrast to others, Jesus of Nazareth possessed the fullness of divine nature, lived a sinless life, and provided Himself as the last word sacrifice for humanity’s redemption by means of His demise and resurrection.
The identify “Jesus” was divinely given, reflecting His distinctive mission. The angel Gabriel introduced to Mary, “You’ll conceive and provides start to a son, and you might be to name him Jesus” (Luke 1:31). Equally, the angel appeared to Joseph, saying, “You might be to offer him the identify Jesus, as a result of he’ll save his folks from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). This naming carried profound significance, because the identify “Jesus” (Yeshua) means “The Lord is salvation.” Moreover, He was foretold as Emmanuel, that means “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23), signifying His divine id and His mission to dwell amongst and redeem His folks.
On a darkish and stormy evening, a toddler, misplaced within the streets, cried in misery. A policeman gave the kid instructions residence however left him confused. Then a form man approached, saying, “simply include me.” He held the kid’s hand, wrapped a coat round him, and escorted him to his residence. The primary man confirmed the best way; the second man grew to become the best way. Likewise, Jesus doesn’t merely present us the best way to salvation—He’s the Method. As He declared in John 14:6, “I’m the best way and the reality and the life. Nobody involves the Father besides by means of me.” Jesus not solely illuminates the trail to everlasting life however personally ensures that those that name on His identify will probably be saved (Joel 2:32). His uniqueness lies on this divine position: He’s each the reward of salvation and the one who accomplishes it for all who imagine.
(c) Energy and Authority within the Identify of Jesus
The identify of Jesus carries unparalleled energy and authority as a result of it embodies the very presence of God. In contrast to Bar-Jesus (Elymas) or Jesus Justus, in whose names God’s presence doesn’t dwell, Jesus of Nazareth is Emmanuel—“God with us”—as prophesied in Matthew 1:22-23. Wherever the identify of Jesus is invoked in religion, His presence turns into tangible. As He promised in Matthew 18:20, “For the place two or three collect in my identify, there am I with them.” His assurance in Matthew 28:20, “I’m with you all the time, to the very finish of the age,” reminds us of His perpetual presence and energy within the lives of His followers.
The cries of humanity expressed within the Pavamana Mantra from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (1.3.28) additionally discover their final achievement in Jesus Christ. The longing to be led “from the unreal to the true” (asato ma sadgamaya) is answered in Jesus, who declares, “I’m the best way and the reality and the life” (John 14:6). He leads us out of the illusions of sin and self-deception into the truth of God’s reality, setting us free (John 8:32). Likewise, the plea to be led “from darkness to mild” (tamaso ma jyotirgamaya) is fulfilled as Jesus proclaims, “I’m the sunshine of the world. Whoever follows me won’t ever stroll in darkness, however may have the sunshine of life” (John 8:12). By illuminating hearts and minds with the data of God’s glory (2 Corinthians 4:6), He dispels religious ignorance and brings hope and enlightenment. Lastly, the cry for deliverance “from demise to immortality” (mrtyor-ma amrtam gamaya) is answered in Jesus, who assures us, “I’m the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will dwell, although they die” (John 11:25-26). By means of His resurrection, Jesus conquers demise and provides everlasting life to all who imagine (1 Corinthians 15:54-55), making Him the last word reply to humanity’s historical prayers.
Many Christians, nevertheless, fail to expertise the facility in Jesus’ identify as a result of they hesitate to proclaim it boldly. Concern or hesitation diminishes their religious authority, as warned in Matthew 10:33: “However whoever denies me earlier than males, I additionally will deny earlier than my Father who’s in heaven.” In distinction, the early Church boldly exercised the authority of Jesus’ identify. In Acts 3:1-9, Peter and John encountered a lame man on the temple gate. As a substitute of providing materials assist, Peter declared, “Within the identify of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stroll.” Instantly, the person was healed, strolling and leaping with pleasure. This miraculous therapeutic demonstrates the transformative energy in Jesus’ identify, which brings bodily and religious restoration to those that imagine.
Christians are referred to as to train their authority in Christ by claiming the guarantees related to His identify. Jesus Himself mentioned in John 14:13-14, “And I’ll do no matter you ask in my identify, in order that the Father could also be glorified within the Son.” Equally, John 16:23-24 assures believers of answered prayers and pleasure when requests are made in His identify. In the end, the authority of Jesus’ identify extends to all creation, as Philippians 2:10-11 proclaims: “On the identify of Jesus each knee ought to bow, in heaven and on earth and below the earth, and each tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord.” This divine authority challenges each believer to boldly proclaim His identify and stroll within the energy it gives, remodeling lives and glorifying God.
Sadhu Sundar Singh seen the identify of Jesus because the supply of his calling, energy, and pleasure, even in struggling. He believed that by means of Jesus’ identify, he discovered function and endurance in going through hardships. For him, the identify of Jesus wasn’t nearly salvation, but in addition the facility to maintain and rework trials into alternatives to glorify God. He mentioned,
I thank God that He has chosen unworthy me within the days of my youth that I’ll spend the times of my energy in His service. Even earlier than baptism my prayer to God was that He ought to present me His methods, and so He, who’s the Method, the Reality, and the Life, did present Himself to me, and referred to as me to serve Him as a sadhu and to evangelise His holy Identify. Now though I’ve suffered starvation, thirst, chilly, warmth, imprisonment, maledictions, infirmities, persecutions, and innumerable evils, but I thank and bless His holy Identify that by means of His grace my coronary heart is ever stuffed with pleasure. From my ten years’ expertise I can unhesitatingly say that the Cross bears those that bear the Cross.
(d) Confidence within the Identify of Jesus
The identify of Jesus conjures up unshakable confidence, as Scripture assures us: “Everybody who believes in Him won’t be put to disgrace” (Romans 10:11). Trusting in His identify provides believers boldness to face life’s challenges. God has given His Son as the muse of our belief, a reality superbly exemplified in Mary’s response to the angel’s message. When the Good Information got here to her, Mary positioned her confidence in God’s Phrase, saying “Sure” to Him and “No” to the world. Her belief in God allowed her to turn into the mom of Jesus, embracing His plan with unwavering religion.
The Outdated Testomony story of David and Goliath superbly illustrates the boldness that comes from trusting in God’s identify, which prefigures the boldness believers have within the identify of Jesus. When David confronted the large Goliath, he boldly declared in 1 Samuel 17:45, “You come in opposition to me with sword and spear and javelin, however I come in opposition to you within the identify of the Lord Almighty.” David’s confidence was not in his personal energy however within the energy of God’s identify, which enabled him to beat the formidable big. This story foreshadows the last word energy within the identify of Jesus for New Testomony believers. Within the New Testomony, Acts 3:16 exhibits Peter demonstrating this confidence when he declares the therapeutic energy in Jesus’ identify: “By religion within the identify of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made sturdy.” Equally, Proverbs 18:10 reminds us that “the identify of the Lord is a robust tower; the righteous run to it and are protected.” Simply as David discovered confidence in God’s identify, we are able to discover refuge and energy within the identify of Jesus, trusting that it brings victory, therapeutic, and safety in our lives.
The story of the Nineteenth-century tightrope walker Charles Blondin and his son additional illustrates the depth of belief that comes from confidence in a relationship. Blondin was well-known for crossing Niagara Falls on a tightrope, as soon as challenged his viewers to imagine in his capability to hold somebody on his shoulders throughout the rope. Whereas the group hesitated, his younger son boldly volunteered. With absolute belief in his father, the boy climbed onto Blondin’s shoulders, and collectively they crossed the perilous expanse. This exceptional second demonstrates that true religion entails not simply perception but in addition the willingness to entrust oneself absolutely to the one in whom we place our confidence. This confidence is echoed in Psalm 34:5: “Those that look to him are radiant; their faces are by no means coated with disgrace.”
(e) Transformation within the Identify of Jesus
The identify of Jesus brings profound transformation into the lives of those that encounter Him. Because the prophet Joel declared, “Your little kids will prophesy, your previous males will dream goals, your younger males will see visions”(Joel 2:28), Jesus brings renewal, granting a brand new imaginative and prescient, function, and relationship with God. This transformation is seen all through the Scriptures in varied encounters with Jesus. For instance, the Samaritan girl on the nicely had a life-changing encounter with Jesus, and he or she grew to become the primary preacher to carry different Samaritans to His toes (John 4). Equally, Zacchaeus, after assembly Jesus, was remodeled from a grasping tax collector to a person prepared to offer away his wealth in repentance (Luke 19). Mary Magdalene, delivered by Jesus from seven demons, skilled such a radical transformation that she grew to become a loyal follower and the primary to witness and proclaim His resurrection (Luke 8:2; John 20:11-18). The Apostle Paul’s life was fully rotated after encountering Jesus on the highway to Damascus. As soon as a fierce persecutor of Christians, he grew to become one of many biggest apostles, fervently spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 9:1-22). Romans 5:5 reminds us that this transformation is empowered by God’s love, poured into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit: “And hope doesn’t put us to disgrace, as a result of God’s love has been poured into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
The identify of Jesus brings profound transformation, altering not solely our actions but in addition our hearts, views, and destinies. This transformation is superbly illustrated by means of an agnostic man’s go to to an island. Anticipating to discover a backward and primitive society, the place the folks lived in semi-naked circumstances and spoke solely their native language, he was stunned to discover a thriving neighborhood with fashionable buildings and a excessive way of life. Curious, he met with the chief of the tribe and requested how such progress was achieved.
To his shock, the chief attributed the transformation to the work of missionaries. Upset by this, the agnostic man expressed his disapproval, accusing the missionaries of eroding the tribe’s tradition and traditions. Nonetheless, the chief calmly responded, “In the event you had come right here earlier than the missionaries arrived, you’d have been sacrificed to our gods. We might have roasted you alive and eaten you. However now, give due to God that you simply got here after the missionaries.” The missionaries, by means of the identify of Jesus, had led to a profound change of their lives, remodeling a society of concern and violence into one in every of peace, progress, and hope.
This story displays the unimaginable transformation that the identify of Jesus brings into the lives of people and communities. Simply because the tribe skilled a dramatic shift from barbarism to civilization, those that encounter Jesus are radically modified. From concern to religion, from demise to life, the identify of Jesus provides a change that renews us, aligning us with God’s function for our lives.
Conclusion:
As we conclude our exploration of the importance of the identify of Jesus, we’re reminded of the profound influence it has on our lives and the world round us. The identify of Jesus, that means “the Lord is salvation,” encapsulates the essence of His mission and the hope He brings to humanity. On this new yr, we’re referred to as to replicate on our id in Christ and the transformative energy that comes from trusting in His identify.
All through Scripture, we see the authority and presence of Jesus manifesting in miraculous methods, from the therapeutic of the lame man by Peter to the daring declarations of religion by believers all through historical past. Simply as David confronted Goliath with confidence in God’s identify, we can also strategy life’s challenges with the reassurance that Jesus is our energy and refuge.
As we embark on this new yr, allow us to decide to honoring the identify of Jesus in our lives, embracing the salvation He provides, and sharing the hope of His identify with others. Sadhu Sundar Singh’s had a deep willpower to go to these locations the place Christ was not named. That’s how he landed into Tibet. Could we stroll boldly in religion, trusting that by means of Jesus, we aren’t solely remodeled but in addition empowered to make a distinction in our communities and past. In doing so, we fulfill our function as followers of Christ, bringing glory to God and reflecting His like to a world in want.
Rev. Dr. Samuel Richmond, serves because the Government Director, Caleb Institute, Gurugram; Hon. Secretary, EFI-Theological Fee and Vice-Chairman, Evangelical Church of God.
