The Name Jesus

The Name Jesus


By Shirley Mitchell

“You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

Luke 1:31-33

God’s account of the birth of Jesus being foretold to Mary is so short. It seems like Gabriel’s visit only lasted a matter of minutes. Yet, it was the defining moment of Mary’s life – as well as an important point on the time line for all mankind, including you and me.

God doesn’t tell us much about her pregnancy. If this had happened in our time, publishers would be fighting to get the five-book deal on Mary’s pregnancy, labor, and motherhood experiences. We don’t know if God spared her from morning sickness. We don’t know how she felt when her stomach started to pouch or when Baby Jesus kicked the first time. We don’t know if she experienced pre-labor pains or if it was a quick labor. All of these small details that women love to know were not recorded.

Instead of all these details, God chose to tell us only the most important details. We know that Mary was greatly troubled; yet, He highly favored her. Additionally, God fulfilled the Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament through Jesus by giving Him the throne of his father David and declaring that He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; His kingdom will never end. Lastly, for the first time the Savior of the world is given the Name of Jesus.

Throughout the Old Testament, He is called Messiah, Deliverer, Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, and Immanuel, but He has never been given a personal name. Now, Gabriel reveals Messiah’s Name. Jesus is the English derivative from the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua. It is a contraction of “Jehovah Savior” or “the LORD saves.” Mary and Joseph would have pronounced the Son of God’s Name as Yeshua which means salvation and deliverance.

What is in a name? Hebrew names were rich with meaning. A person’s name characterized him. The angel did not say He would save His people from Rome or other governmental oppression. The angel did not say to give Him a name related to His kingship. The primary name of God’s Holy Son is Jesus because He came to save us from our sins and redeem us to fellowship with the Holy God.

This precious Name is the Name that holds so much power. By believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, we have life in His Name (John 20:31). Those who believe in His Name, He gives the right to become children of God (John 1:12). Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no there name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). By His Name, people are healed (Acts 3:16), and demons are cast out (Mark 9:38-39). In His Name, the nations put their hope (Matthew 12:21). Believers are baptized and discipled in His Name (Matthew 28:19-20). It is the Name that one day every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10-11).

It is the Name that I hang all of my hope on. It is the Name that I love to roll off my tongue. It is the Name that I cling to through every dark trial of life. There is no other name with such power and might. There is no name that brings such comfort and assurance. I cherish that Name, and it delights me to hear it said by someone who loves Him, too. Grab hold of that Name today for whatever it is that you need in your life.

Pray with me: Father God, thank You for giving Jesus His precious Name. Even His Name brings glory to You, reminding us that You save! You save us from our sins, from destruction, and from ourselves. We cling to the Name of Jesus that holds so much power.


Lord God, You gave Jesus the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; His kingdom will never end! It’s in Your precious Son’s Name, the Name above all names and the Name that someday every knee will bow and every tongue will confess, in Yeshua’s Name, we pray. Amen.