Grace Church
257 Kendall Street
Burlington, WI 53105

(262) 763-3021

His Name is Jesus Matthew 1:21 His Name Is… Sermon #2 A recent e-mail asked readers to reflect on the following questions. See how well you do: 1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world. 2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners. 3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest. 4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize. 5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress. 6. Name the last 10 World Series winners.   Then, there’s another set of questions: 1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school. 2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time. 3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile. 4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special. 5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with. 6. Name six heroes whose stories have inspired you.   The names that we typically think are important and critical aren’t, are they? Names have meaning usually because they represent the person who the name belongs to. No name has more meaning throughout the history of the world than the name of Jesus.   In Matthew’s nativity account we find the story of when Jesus was given the name of Jesus. Turn to Matthew 1:18-21 (p. 681). “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 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. 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.’”   Do you know how you received your name? All three of our children have special middle names because of someone who has a special relationship to Jane and I. But the Jews did not name their children before they were born but waited for an event or a sign to name the child what they sensed the child would become. For many they gave the name eight days after birth as they presented the child at the temple.   When it came time for God to name His Son it was a very important time. He was to be born of a virgin named Mary who would be the wife of Joseph a carpenter. God did not wait for the earthly parents to name His Son. They knew His name long before He was born. So when He was born in Bethlehem, while the angels were singing and the shepherds gazing on the newborn in the manger, someone would have asked, "Who is this in the manger?" And Mary or Joseph would respond, "His name is Jesus."   Something you might not know is that the name Jesus appears over 500 times in the Gospels and if you include the rest of the New Testament, it’s 900 times. This seems to be a very wonderful name for the Son of God. Jesus out of all the titles and names given Him seems to be the dearest.   If you took the time the time to look in a hymnal, you’d find that there are many songs with this name in its title The meaning of the name Jesus means "The Lord is Salvation." So why is this name so significant and just right for what meets our need? Why it is that Jesus is the favorite names of our Lord? 1. Jesus is a very simple name. How would you like to have a name like Tiglath Peleser-Adonibezek? That’s the name of one man in the Bible. If God had used that name, think of writing poetry or writing a song or having to pray in that name. God Who is all wise used only five letters and a two syllable word which can be pronounced the same in almost every language. It’s simple enough for a child to learn. But in Jesus’ day, it was a very common name. While it’s not a common name in the English language, it was a common name in Bible times.     Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua, Jeshua, and Jehoshua – all familiar and common Old Testament names. There were at least five high priests known as Jesus. The writings of the Jewish historian, Josephus, refers to about twenty people during this time called Jesus. The New Testament speaks of Jesus-Justus, the friend of Paul (Col. 4:11), and the sorcerer of Paphos is called Bar-Jesus. (Acts 13:6) Some even say that Jesus was the first name of Barabbas. Which would make Pilate say, “Which would you like me to release to you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus called the Messiah?”   So what’s the big deal? Jesus could have been a “Joe, a John or a Bob.” If He were here today, it’s doubtful that he would distance himself with a lofty name like The Very Reverend Holiness Angelic Divinity the III. No, when God chose the name His Son would carry, He chose a typical, human name. He chose a name so typical that it would appear two or three times on any class roll.   That’s because with Jesus God became one of us. He became human. This is what John meant when he wrote of Jesus in John 1:14, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” Jesus was touchable, approachable and reachable. Even more important is that He was ordinary.      If Jesus were here today, you probably wouldn’t notice Him as He walked down the street. He wouldn’t turn heads by the clothes He wore or the jewelry He flashed. When He introduced Himself He would say, “Just call me Jesus.” He was just a regular guy, a friend who you would talk to. One who you’d invite to weddings and parties (remember the Matthew Party). I don’t see Him as being so heavenly minded that He was no earthly good to those here on earth. He enjoyed life. He attracted people to Himself.   We also see that throughout the gospels that those who knew Him best remembered Him as Jesus. There are a few mentions of the titles Jesus Christ and Lord Jesus (six times). But those who knew Him didn’t know Him with titles or designations, just as Jesus.   And think about the implications. When God chose to reveal Himself to mankind, what way did He choose? A book? No, to limit God’s revelation to a cold list of do’s and don’ts is a tragic way of viewing God. Some people see that as they read the Bible. Yet the read but they don’t experience. No, when God chose to reveal Himself to mankind, He did so (surprise of surprise) through a human body. The tongue that called forth the dead was a human one. The hand that touched the leper had dirt under His nails. The feet upon which the woman wept were calloused and dusty. And His tears (at the tomb of Lazarus, or as He wept over Jerusalem, or even in the Garden of Gethsemane) those tears came from a heart as broken as yours or mine has ever been.   This is what’s meant in Hebrews 4:15, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have One who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.”  When children grow up knowing that name and hearing about that name they think that Jesus has the answer to every question and can solve any problem.   A little boy was asked in Sunday School class, “what’s a little furry animal that climbs up in a tree and eats nuts and saves acorns?” This little guy came from a Christian home and replied, “I know it sounds like a squirrel, but I know the answer is Jesus.” 2. Jesus is a very significant name. No one had used the name Jesus or Joshua until Moses created that name for a man named Hosea the son of Nun. It sounded like some sort of savior. If you know your Old Testament,  you know that Joshua was a kind of Savior. Joshua of the Old Testament was a picture of the coming Christ. He had striking contrasts with Jesus. He led the people out of the wilderness into the Promised Land.   Jesus takes us out of the wilderness of sin to a heavenly land. Joshua led the people to fight against enemies who protected themselves with walled cities. Jesus leads us out to conquer the world, the flesh and the devil. He helps us conquer great obstacles and to win over temptations. As Joshua did so Jesus leads us to the inheritance that God has for us. Joshua brought an earthly and temporal salvation whereas Jesus gives us a salvation that is forever in heaven where there is no sin. We find them alluded to together in Hebrews 4:8, “For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day.” If Old Testament Joshua could have done all that needed to be done, God wouldn’t have needed to send Jesus. Joshua only could bring what this earth has, but Jesus came to bring us all of heaven. 3. Jesus is a very superior name. John 1:12-13 says, “Yet to all who received Him (Jesus), to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” Acts 4:12 says, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”     During the Civil War a farmer named Blake was drafted as a soldier. He was deeply concerned about leaving his family, because his wife had died and there would be no one to support and take care of his children in his absence. The day before he was to leave for the army, his neighbor Charlie Durham came to visit him. "Blake," he said, "I've been thinking. You're needed here at home, so I've decided to go in your place."   The farmer was so overwhelmed that for a few moments he was speechless. The offer seemed too good to be true. He grasped the hand of the young man and praised God for this one who was willing to go as his substitute. Charlie went to the front-lines and performed his duties nobly.      But sad to say, he was shot and killed in the first battle. When the farmer heard the news, he immediately saddled his horse and rode out to the battlefield. After searching for some time, he found the body of his friend. He arranged to have it buried in the churchyard near the spot where they had often stopped to talk after the services. On a piece of marble he carved an inscription with his own hands. It was roughly done, but with every blow of the hammer on the chisel tears fell from his eyes. He placed the marker on the grave of his devoted substitute. Many villagers wept as they read the brief but touching inscription: HE DIED FOR ME.   Someone has insightfully written, “If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator; If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist; If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist; If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer; But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.” 4. Jesus is a very selective name. “You are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). As we’ve said the Joshua of the Old Testament could not do that. There are many would be saviors who have tried to show us forgiveness but they all fail. There are government programs for almost any need you have, but money is a perishable item. There are banks that offer great ways to save or increase your money for a life of ease yet this life does not offer much for those who have broken heath even with much money. There are places where you can go for physical fitness but after you have all the muscle you want or stamina, time is gone and you find the hours of the day too short to enjoy that great body you have. There are time management books or seminars to help us get well organized but we are lazy and waste much time even though we have it all together. And if we touch on the religious life we find that a priest cannot forgive our sin nor can a pastor pray for us to have our sins forgiven. We have to go directly to Jesus if we want to have our life freed of sin and guilt. Of no other person can it be said that He came to save people from their sin. This one fact sets Him apart from all others.   Other religions would like to make the Christian feel he is narrow minded. And maybe we don’t like having that title, but we need to be just as narrow minded as the Bible is. Scripture declares, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matt. 7:13-14). Jesus is the only way to God. Salvation does not come by the Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Wesleyan or Pentecostal Church.   Friend, if you’re not trusting in Jesus for your salvation you have misplaced your trust in the wrong thing or person. A poet has written: “There is majesty in the name of God. There is personality in the name Jehovah. There is power in the name Lord. There is unction in the name of Christ. There is attraction in the name Immanuel. There is intercession in the name Mediator. There is help in the name Advocate. But there is salvation in none other, none under heaven given among men, apart from the name Jesus. An Alexander may build an empire. A Napoleon may change the nations of the world. A Newton may bring about and intellectual revolution. An Edison may create a new world for science. A Wyatt may usher in a new era of industry. But there is only one who can touch and transform the human heart. And that one is Jesus.”   It’s only in His name that lives are transformed. You can try self-improvement, education, therapy groups, fitness centers and religion and become a better person in this world but you’ll still be miserable for peace can not be found in these. There is only One who can give peace and a life that is worth living. His name is Jesus.   How does He do it you may ask? He does not change us from the outside in but from the inside out. We have some that try to live for God without Christ. It can’t be done. Conclusion: What’s the name for which we get Christmas from? What’s the name of God’s only begotten Son? What’s the name of the One who can save us from our sins? His name is Jesus. There is no greater name in all the earth or in heaven. Do you know Him as Jesus? Do you know Him as your personal Lord and Savior? The very name of Jesus proclaims that He is God’s way of salvation! The very name of Jesus proclaims that He’s God’s promise to us for deliverance! The very name of Jesus proclaims that salvation can be found in no other!...there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved!   Friend, do you know Jesus by name this morning? The Bible says that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21).  Have you called on His name? Have you surrendered to Him as your Lord and Savior? If not, let me encourage you to do so today!   Maybe you’ve taken the NAME of Jesus lightly. You’ve been wearing his name for many years, yet you’ve never really put your trust in Him to save you, you’ve been trying to do it by yourself. Let me encourage you this morning to truly surrender your life to Him, turning over your sins and shortcomings, and trusting Him to save you! He and He alone can do it!