“And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:21
“If you hear me calling your name, you know you’re in trouble.”
No kidding, I recently heard a mom say this to her young children in the grocery store. Though I don’t condone her comment because it sounded devoid of tender care, I can’t point the finger. I’ve certainly made my share of comments lacking in gentleness. Yet it led me to think of how God speaks our name: What’s His tone? What’s His purpose? I was comforted knowing that whenever He calls my name–even if in discipline–His tone and purpose are love. I’ve no need to fear or shy away. My heavenly Father loves me with an everlasting love and draws me with lovingkindness (my paraphrase, Jeremiah 31:3).
Calling someone’s name identifies them–it’s our way of indicating who we’re addressing. Just as that mother clarified to her children that hearing their name would be a negative experience, the Bible clarifies what it meant when Joseph called Mary’s newborn Son Jesus:
He … will save His people from their sins.
So much beauty is wrapped up in Jesus’ name. It communicates hope … forgiveness … salvation. No other Name possesses power to save. No other Name breathes hope into the hopeless. No other Name eternally connects us to God the Father.
As we’ve officially entered the Christmas season, let’s remember often Who we celebrate. His name is JESUS! Oh, the sweet sound of His lovely, perfect, life-giving name.
May we call on Jesus whenever we’re in trouble. He alone can save. Calling His name always results in a positive experience.
“… And this is His name by which He will be called, ‘The LORD our righteousness.'” – Jer. 23:6
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