The name “Jesus” is rich with meaning and significance when it comes to the mission and purpose of Christ’s coming to earth. Jesus’ name in Hebrew is Yeshua, which means “Yahweh saves” or “Yahweh is salvation.” This connects directly to the statement made by the angel speaking to Joseph in Matthew 1:21, that Jesus “will save his people from their sins.” His very name points to His identity and purpose as the one who came to provide the way of salvation.
In the ancient world, a person’s name was closely tied to their identity, character, and mission in life. Names were often given as declarations of the child’s purpose or as prophetic proclamations. The fact that the angel instructed Joseph to name the child “Jesus” is packed with meaning. It reveals that central to Jesus’ identity is His role as Savior.
The people of Israel were eagerly awaiting salvation from their sins through the coming Messiah. The name “Jesus” connects Him directly to this esperance. The prophet Isaiah spoke of the coming Redeemer who would deal with Israel’s sin, stating that “He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12). The name “Jesus” affirms that He has come to fulfill this prophecy and provide atonement for sin.
The statement by the angel that Jesus would “save his people from their sins” helps us understand the significance of His name. It points to the profound truth found throughout Scripture that humanity’s fundamental problem is sin and separation from God. All people need deliverance and rescue from the guilt, power, and eternal consequences of sin. Jesus came to provide that deliverance as a Savior.
His name “Jesus” points to salvation being accomplished through Him alone. The apostle Peter proclaimed boldly, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). The exclusive nature of salvation in Jesus is tied to His name, which means “Yahweh saves.”
Not only does Jesus’ name connect Him to the role of Savior, but the statement by the angel also reveals what kind of Savior He would be. He came to save “His people” specifically. This affirms that Christ’s purpose was to die not simply for the general good of humanity, but to accomplish the salvation of those the Father had given Him (John 6:37-39; John 10:14-15). He would achieve the salvation of His covenant people, the elect.
The angel’s declaration to Joseph underscores a foundational truth. The humanity of Jesus is essential to Him being the kind of Savior He is. Taking on human flesh was necessary for Him to be the substitute who would bear the sins of His people. Only the God-Man could rightfully act as mediator between God and men (1 Tim 2:5). In order to save His people from their sins, He had to fully identify with them by becoming human while remaining fully God.
Matthew 1:21 succinctly announces the purpose for which Jesus came into the world. To explore the richness of this statement, looking closely at His name “Jesus” is illuminating. His name points to the liberating truth that the divine Son of God condescended to become the Savior who alone is mighty to rescue ruined sinners. He came to achieve victory over sin through His sacrificial death on the cross and victorious resurrection from the grave. The name “Jesus” is the gospel message in a nutshell.
When Joseph gave the name “Jesus” in obedience to the angel’s instruction, it served as a continual reminder of His God-appointed mission to save His people from their sins. Throughout His earthly life and ministry, He lived up to His name by offering salvation to the lost, healing the sick, forgiving sins, and exhibiting compassion. For all who put their faith in Him, Jesus lives up to the meaning of His name as the One who saves people from condemnation and breaks the power of sin.
The statement “He will save His people from their sins” also reminds believers in Jesus that following Him means turning away from sin. Jesus did not come simply to forgive but also to free His people from slavery to sin. As believers abide in Christ, His power transforms them increasingly into His image and the grip of sin loses its hold. His name means He offers full salvation, both justifying and sanctifying all who belong to Him.
In summary, the name “Jesus” connects directly with His purpose of saving His people from condemnation, the power, and future presence of sin. He is the living embodiment of “Yahweh is salvation.” There is no hope of rescue from sin apart from faith in Jesus Christ, who lived up to His name in every respect by offering Himself as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of all who trust in Him.
His name declares that Jesus alone is the source of salvation. There is no other means given to humanity by which people may be saved from the penalty of sin. As Peter said, “There is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” Jesus’ name announces the exclusivity of the only way of salvation for sinful human beings.
Jesus is the one Savior who was promised throughout the Old Testament to come and defeat sin and make atonement for His people. His name “Jesus” confirms His identity as the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies regarding the coming Redeemer of God’s people Israel. He is the one named “Yahweh saves” who came to provide forgiveness of sins through faith in Him.
The fact that Jesus, the Savior, had to be God incarnate displays the unfathomable depth of human sinfulness and depravity. For sinners to be redeemed and reconciled to holy God, the price was the humiliation, suffering, and sacrifice of the very Son of God taking on flesh and dying in their place. The name “Jesus” points to the lengths God went to deal with the problem of human sin and rebellion.
Matthew 1:21 reveals that Jesus came with a specific mission and purpose in mind – not a generic salvation for humanity, but decidedly to save a particular people, namely those chosen and given to Him by the Father. Jesus frequently spoke of His purpose being tied to those the Father had chosen and drawn to Him (John 6:37-39).
This demonstrates Jesus’ definite and particular goal in His saving work, rather than a vague general attempt to make salvation possible for all. His death actually accomplished salvation for all God’s elect. His name “Jesus” is a declaration that He will achieve success in the salvation of every single person the Father has elected unto eternal life. He is the “author and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2).
A study of Christ’s name “Jesus” provides rich insight into His mission, identity, and saving work on behalf of His people. His name is a concise declaration of the Gospel message: Yahweh saves! There is salvation from sin for all who place their trust in Jesus and rely fully on His atoning death and resurrection for rescue from sin.
In the New Testament following Jesus’ earthly ministry, the apostles and early church continued reflecting on the name “Jesus” and connecting it firmly to His identity as Savior. The book of Acts records an occasion where Peter boldly proclaims, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). The name of Jesus is linked exclusively with the offer of salvation to all who believe.
The apostle Paul frequently refers to believers “in Christ Jesus.” For Paul, being “in Christ” meant being found in Him, covered by His righteousness, and belonging to Him. He uses the name “Jesus Christ” and the phrase “in Christ” almost interchangeably to describe believers’ position of salvation. Because they are in Jesus, they are counted righteous before God.
Throughout the epistles, continual connection is made between the name “Jesus,” His death on the cross, and the forgiveness of sins. Peter proclaimed to Cornelius’ household, “everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name” (Acts 10:43). There is powerful saving effect in His name when joined to faith in the heart.
The saving action by someone bearing the name of Jesus is hinted at even in the Old Testament. When Joshua led Israel into the Promised Land, Scripture states that “the Lord saved Israel that day” (Joshua 10:42). The Hebrew name Joshua is the same as Jesus. The Lord saved through one called “Yahweh saves.” This foreshadows the ultimate victory Jesus would one day win for spiritual Israel.
In summary, the close link between Jesus’ name and His saving action is a theme throughout Scripture. His very name points to the Gospel truth that “Yahweh saves” through the incarnate Son who bore the penalty for sins on the cross. All who repent and believe in Him are forgiven and rescued from the power of sin. There is no other name except Jesus by which rescue and redemption can be found.
The name given to Mary’s child was fraught with significance regarding who He was and what He came to do. When the angel Gabriel instructed Joseph to name the baby Jesus, it established His identity and the purpose for which He came into the world. As the Savior, He would fulfill the meaning inherent in His name by saving His people from their sins.
Several key implications arise from the name “Jesus” in Matthew 1:21:
- It reveals His identity as the promised Messiah who would bring salvation.
- It signals that redemption would come through His atoning sacrifice.
- It signifies triumph over the power of sin through His death and resurrection.
- It implies the exclusivity of salvation found in Jesus alone.
- It connects Him with God’s covenant promises to save His chosen people.
In the Old Testament, names were more than just a means of identification. Often they conveyed something of a person’s character, identity or divine mission. The name “Jesus” serves this purpose by encapsulating who He was and what He came to accomplish as Savior.
This name was central in the early church’s preaching and teaching. The apostles emphasized that forgiveness of sins came only through faith in the name of Jesus. His name and His saving action were inextricably linked. There was power and authority in His name because it represented who He was as the Savior sent by God to reconcile sinners.
For believers today, His name is still packed with significance. Trusting in the name of Jesus brings rescue from the penalty of sin. He lives up to the meaning of His name by saving all who call upon Him in true repentance and faith. There is forgiveness, acceptance, and new life for all who rely on Jesus as Savior and Lord.
In summary, the meaning embedded in the name “Jesus” connects powerfully with the fact that He came to save His people from their sins. His name succinctly encapsulates the Gospel message of redemption through the incarnate Son of God who bore the sins of His people when He died on the cross. No other name carries such hope, power, and authority to rescue fallen humanity.