And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (Luke 2:21 ESV)
The name Jesus is the very name that Joseph was told to name the unborn child in the womb of his betrothed wife Mary. The Scripture recounts it this way: “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” The meaning behind the name Jesus is “Yahweh saves” or “the Lord is salvation.” This name has become the most recognizable, most called upon, most sung and written about, most treasured name among mankind.
The Christmas story didn’t begin or end with the birth of Jesus. God’s plan of redemption continued (and continues today). As the Scripture continues, we learn that after all the excitement in Bethlehem, after the visit from the shepherds who had shared their incredible experience with the angels, that Joseph and Mary did exactly what the Lord had commanded them.
Notice first that Jesus was born under the law and that His faithful, devout Jewish parents kept the Mosaic Law in His circumcision. Paul reminds us in Galatians 4:4-5: But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. Every detail in the Gospels contain valuable, important content that help us realize the beauty and depth of what is unfolding. Jesus didn’t simply appear to be human, He was fully human in every sense.
His parents naming Him Jesus, a name that no doubt was counter cultural because it wasn’t a family name, was a reminder that they were faithful participants in the glorious, unfolding plan of God. The angel had already proclaimed to Joseph and Mary that Jesus would “save his people from their sins.” This young couple had experienced so much in such a short period of time and their incredible journey wasn’t over! Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus came to the Temple in Jerusalem to fulfill the Law of the Lord by offering a sacrifice for their first born.
Tucked in this holy moment, we learn something instructive. Joseph and Mary offered “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons” as their sacrifice in accordance with the Law. This sacrifice was that of a family without worldly means, one for the poor. Even though this couple was young, inexperienced, and likely impoverished, they faithfully obeyed the Lord. Sadly, many people believe that if they had more, then they would do what God has called them to do. Jesus says if we are faithful with little, we will be faithful with much (see Luke 16:10).
This Christmas season, I hope you’ll reflect on your life in light of the first advent of Jesus. Throughout the historical account, we find real, raw, beautiful faith. We see God inviting humanity into His incredible plan of redemption. We see God choosing the lowly, the outcast, and the rejects. Today let us rejoice because Jesus has indeed saved us from our sins! He, God’s promised Redeemer, is the greatest gift any of us will ever receive.
Heavenly Father, thank You for saving us from our sins through Your Son Jesus. Thank You for giving us an up close look at the faithful obedience of Your servants. Lord, thank You for coming into the world You created to not just identify with us, but to live, minister to, and suffer with us so You could forever be our sympathetic High Priest. Thank You for being our salvation and the new life we have in and through You. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
