Jesus' Name
Stories
THE WONDER OF WORDS: BOOK 2
ONE-HUNDRED MORE WORDS AND PHRASES SHAPING HOW CHRISTIANS THINK AND LIVE
The miracle and mystery of Christmas is summed up in the name of that baby born in Bethlehem so long ago. Joseph, his foster-father, was instructed by the angel: "You will name him Jesus - because he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)
Each letter of that name teaches us a lesson. The "J" reminds us Jesus is Jewish. He is a true son of Israel, raised in the traditions of his fathers in the faith. The God of Jesus is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jesus said: "It is from the Jews that salvation comes." (John 4:22) The "E" stands for Emmanuel, the title applied to him means "God is with us." In ancient days, the God of Israel tabernacled among his people in the Tent in the wilderness and made his Presence known to them in the great Temple at Jerusalem. At Bethlehem, God chose to dwell among men in the human nature of Jesus. The "S" stands for Savior. That word goes back to the Greek word "soter," the first century term for a doctor who delivered a person from disease and restored them to wholeness. Jesus thought of himself in this sense. When he was criticized for associating with persons with whom no respectable Jew would have anything to do, Jesus replied: "People who are well do not need a doctor, but only those who are sick." (Mark 2:17) The "U" stands for Jesus' Universal mission and appeal. He chose the star as the last symbol for himself. (Revelation 22:16) A star does not belong exclusively to one nation, but it can be seen by people everywhere. The second "S" stands for Sacrifice. A sacrifice is an expensive gift of love given by someone who cares. In the text summing up the Good News of the Christian message, Jesus said: "God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son" so, as you trust yourself to him, you may not go to pieces, but have life with eternal depth and meaning.
Each letter of that name teaches us a lesson. The "J" reminds us Jesus is Jewish. He is a true son of Israel, raised in the traditions of his fathers in the faith. The God of Jesus is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jesus said: "It is from the Jews that salvation comes." (John 4:22) The "E" stands for Emmanuel, the title applied to him means "God is with us." In ancient days, the God of Israel tabernacled among his people in the Tent in the wilderness and made his Presence known to them in the great Temple at Jerusalem. At Bethlehem, God chose to dwell among men in the human nature of Jesus. The "S" stands for Savior. That word goes back to the Greek word "soter," the first century term for a doctor who delivered a person from disease and restored them to wholeness. Jesus thought of himself in this sense. When he was criticized for associating with persons with whom no respectable Jew would have anything to do, Jesus replied: "People who are well do not need a doctor, but only those who are sick." (Mark 2:17) The "U" stands for Jesus' Universal mission and appeal. He chose the star as the last symbol for himself. (Revelation 22:16) A star does not belong exclusively to one nation, but it can be seen by people everywhere. The second "S" stands for Sacrifice. A sacrifice is an expensive gift of love given by someone who cares. In the text summing up the Good News of the Christian message, Jesus said: "God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son" so, as you trust yourself to him, you may not go to pieces, but have life with eternal depth and meaning.
