In the Bible, we see great value placed on names and several instances of God giving a new name to His people along with a new life or mission. Sarai became Sarah; Abram became Abraham; Jacob became Israel; Simon became Peter; and Saul became Paul.
God chose the name Jesus for His Son and sent the angel Gabriel to explain the significance of this all-important name. In Matthew 1:21, God tells Joseph, "[Y]ou are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." God knew that, 2,000 years later, people would call Jesus a savior and not the Savior. For this very reason, God defined His name and mission clearly, setting Him apart from the prophets before Him and the founders of all other religions.
God defined His name and mission clearly, setting Him apart from the prophets before Him and the founders of all other religions.
Today, many people do not feel like they need salvation because they think their sins are nominal. But every one of the more than 7.9 billion people living today was born with sin. We can only be freed from the bondage of sin through the blood of Jesus Christ.
At Christmas, we celebrate the Savior's birth. The perfect, sinless Son of God came from heaven, lived a perfect life in the face of the same temptations we face, and died on the cross. He shed His blood and rose again on the third day to prove His power over death and sin, and through faith in His finished work, we can experience everlasting life that starts today and continues through eternity.
When you say, "Merry Christmas," what do you mean? Have you completely surrendered every part of your life to God? Have you acknowledged your sin and called on the reliable name of Jesus, who came to save you from all your sins? Ask for His empowerment in His name as you surrender everything.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the sacrifice of Christ that has brought me life. Give me the strength to surrender all to You today. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).
Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef's sermon series The Wonder of His Love: LISTEN NOW
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