“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” (Luke 1:31)
Our devotional journey moves on to the book of Luke, the most detailed book about the earthly life and ministry of Jesus. Jesus—have you paused for a moment and thought about what the name “Jesus” means?
The angel, Gabriel first announces the name, “Jesus” to his would-be mother, Mary as he predicts Mary will give birth to Jesus (v. 31). “Jesus” is the English translation of the Latin, Iesus, which is the transliteration of the Greek, Ἰησοῦς, corresponding from the Hebrew name, יֵשׁוּעַ which means “the Lord saves.” Matthew even defines the name when he retells Gabriel’s announcement of Jesus’ birth to Joseph, “you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Mt. 1:21).
God sent His only Son (v. 35) to save his people from their sins, including his mother’s sins. Mary acknowledges her need of a Savior and expresses her praises to God soon after Gabriel’s announcement of Jesus’ birth (v. 46-47). No one is exempt from the need of a Savior.
Jesus died for the sins of his mother Mary, his father Joseph, you, and me. As we read or hear the name of Jesus, as we proclaim his name in prayer and worship, as we serve our families, friends, and neighbors, let us reflect on the meaning of the name above all names—Jesus.
Therefore God has highly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth
and under the earth,
and every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
(Philippians 2:9-11)