IT'S ALL IN A NAME

Last week we looked at what an amazing gift Jesus was to us. About how that just over 2000 years ago, our world was completely changed forever when we were sent such an indescribable gift.

Lets take another look at the great significance of all this today and find out, ‘WHAT'S IN A NAME’?

NAME CHECK

How was your first name chosen? Usually it's by our parents, who choose names they like or names from within the family. Sometimes it might be from someone they admire, or a famous person or a celebrity.

How about your name. Was it after someone older in their family? Do you know what your first name means?

Many of our names today have been passed down through history and often originate in other languages. In Europe many names are derived from Latin or the Greek and Hebrew languages. Most originally described something about the person who was given the name.

Take a moment to look up your first name and find its meaning.

BIBLE READING

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel ”(which means “God with us”). Matthew 1:18-23 NIV

SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER

In our reading, Matthew tells us that the name ‘Jesus’ was not chosen by his mother or father, but was given to him directly by God.

And his name had a very special meaning. In fact it revealed exactly who he was!

We are told that Jesus, means 'God saves.' Basically the name Jesus is a one-word summary of what he came to do on earth. To save or rescue.

*  But save us from what?

Well, our own selfishness, from the desire to do things our own way.

*  But what about this name Emmanuel that Matthew also mentions?

Well, Emmanuel, we are told means ‘God with us’.

And even though we know that God has always been with us from the beginning of creation it was mankind’s sin that caused a separation between us and him. 

God looked down upon our broken world and saw the hopelessness of it all and how people just couldn't live in the right way, however hard they tried. And it drove him to action. 

So he came down to earth with us. He quite literally became “God with us.”

*  But when was all this decided?

Well, just as we looked at last week, God first spoke about the promise of Emmanuel way back. It wasn’t really a sudden decision. In fact it was planned before the creation of the world!

Take a look at these verses from the Old Testament, written many years before Jesus came.

The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a Son, and you will call Him Emmanuel. He will eat curds and honey when He knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right” (Isaiah 7:14, NIV).

This child God promised would be entirely different than all the others born before or after Him. He would be would be sinless, without fault. He would be hope for our broken world.

Our reading today from Matthew, written much later, tells us that this ancient, hope-filled prophesy came true in Jesus.

How incredible is that!

AND FINALLY

This Christmas may we really think about this baby of the nativity and the names he was given. Let’s think about how amazing it was that God, through Jesus, left his throne in heaven for a stable. To save us, to be with us.

And remember that this baby wasn't fixed in time, he grew up. He didn't stay in a wooden manger, but eventually made his way to a wooden cross. Where such a great price was paid for us.

God saves? Yes even today, God is still transforming lives, making people new, and turning their lives upside down when they trust in him.

And God with us? Well the world may often look a mess, often seem out of control yet we are never alone if we know Jesus. He will always walk beside us. 

Thank you Lord, for such amazing love!