Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 311

November 7, 2019;      Matthew 1:21;      1/260;      ‘Call His Name Jesus’

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

Joseph was betrothed (engaged) to marry Mary. When he found out that she was pregnant, he was going to ‘divorce’ her, or put her away quietly so as not to disgrace her.  In a dream, the angel, Gabriel, told him how this Baby was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Joseph believed what Gabriel told him. Then Gabriel told Joseph, “….she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." The angel told Joseph exactly what His Name would be and what His mission would be.  Once Joseph understood and believed the incredible truth the angel told him, Joseph did exactly what he was told. The angel also told Mary, her Son would be named Jesus. Jesus’ ‘Name’ is the same as His ministry.  The name ‘Jesus’ means ‘Savior’, which is to deliver, to heal, to preserve, to rescue, and carries the same meaning as the word ‘save.’  The Lord Jesus came to do exactly what His Name said He would do – deliver us from our sins, heal our bodies, make us whole, prosper us and rescue us. So often names were given children signifying what the parents believed their child would do and become. God the Father knew what humanity needed….redemption from sin and sickness, freedom from poverty, and wholeness in every way. The name ‘Jesus’ was not what God the Father believed His Son would do, but rather it meant what the Father knew we needed to be done, and what the Lord Jesus would do. Our eternal destiny rested on that ‘Name’ and our Lord and Savior, who was given that Name, did for us everything this wonderful Name represents.