The Name of Jesus

by Heather Tietz

She shall bring forth a son. You shall call his name Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.

Matthew 1:21

“Yeshua” is the Hebrew form of Jesus’ name.

It is what His Jewish friends and followers called Him. “Lesous” is the Greek form of Jesus’ name. It is what the Gospels were originally written in, and how Greek converts would have pronounced His name.

“Jesus” is our English translation of it. Yeshua (or Lesous) was a common name during the time of our Savior’s birth. It wasn’t original. In fact, many Hebrew boys would have run around bearing this name that honored God.

It reminded the Jewish people that “Jehovah is Salvation.” He had saved them from nakedness in the Garden of Eden. He had saved them from the flood. He had saved them slavery in Egypt. He had saved them from wandering the wilderness. He had given them hope every time they had been suppressed under a foreign nation’s rule. God had saved them all throughout their history, and now, He would save them again through the birth of His son, Yeshua, Lesous, Jesus.

Jesus is the embodiment of His name. He IS Salvation. He offers to save us today from our self-centeredness, from our broken relationships, from our love of money, from our hopelessness, from our addictions, and from burdensome living.

He saves for all eternity, and He is saving us now.

Pray

Dear Loving God,
Thank You for sending Jesus as our Savior.
Let me draw closer to Him day by day and become more like Him.
In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.