His Name Is Jesus

by:  Pastor Jose V. Velasco, Jr.

Read: Matthew 1:18-21

     The angel told Joseph that Mary’s forthcoming baby should be named Jesus (Mt. 1:21). In the Bible names are not just ID labels. They are descriptions of the persons who bear the name. Abraham, the new name of Abram meant father of many nations (Gen. 17:5). Israel, the new name of Jacob meant struggled with God and men and had overcome (Gen. 32:28). Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua which means God saves. Jesus’ one main mission is to save. What does it mean to be saved spiritually? It does not merely mean one going to heaven when he/she dies. This is just a partial and limited meaning of being saved. Let us enumerate some meanings:

   1. It is reconciliation with God. Sin is disobeying God’s words and thus rebelling against Him. This is what Adam and Eve did when they disobeyed God’s words not to eat the forbidden fruit (Gen. 3:6). And they got separated and lost from God (Isa. 59:2).  That was why God was looking for them (Gen. 3:9). But Christ came to seek and to save the lost (Lk. 19:10). In His entire teaching, preaching and healing the sick Jesus was calling people to come back to God by repentance. Finally, He died on the cross to demonstrate God’s reconciling love (Rom. 5:10-11). By repentance and faith in Christ we are reconciled to God.

   2. It is the forgiveness and cleansing of sins. Sin creates guilt and thus it bars us from intimately fellowshipping with God. Hence, sin must be forgiven and removed. Through Christ’s death on the cross God grants repentant sinners forgiveness (Eph. 1:7-8). By humbly confessing our sins to God, through Christ’s death, we are forgiven (1 Jn. 1:9). We are saved from that sin which separates us from God.

   3. Salvation is overcoming the power of sin in our lives. Sin is a power that grips and enslaves us. It is like a secure handcuff from which we cannot free ourselves singly. We need a power outside of us to remove it. In Christ we can find that power and strength. By faith in Him He provides that power. So Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13 -NKJV).

     From these meanings of salvation we understand that salvation is an experience now in this life. Having been reconciled to God we are now in fellowship with Him. In having the assurance of forgiveness guilt of sin is gone. Because of His power in us we live victoriously. If we truly believed and repented then we are now saved. And we have eternal life now. But this state of salvation will continue after death in its fullest sense if we persevere until death. Jesus said, “Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10).

Prayer: 

     You are our Savior. May you help us to experience your salvation now in this life. We repent of our sins and we trust in you loving forgiveness. Empower us to love, serve and obey you. In Jesus’ Name we pray.  Amen.