Most, if not all, parents in the world want meaningful names for their children. A name given to a child usually carries a hope for purpose and identity that can be attributed to the child as he/she grows up.
But it was unusual for Joseph and Mary, who got the name for their Son straight from an angel of the Lord: “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Remarkably, this name was given before He was conceived in the womb (Luke 2:21).
The name Jesus, derived from the Hebrew name Yeshua, means “Savior.” The meaning, identity, and purpose of this name all agree with each other, according to what has been revealed by the angel: To rescue, to deliver His people from their sins.
Jesus Christ is the perfect role model for humility. Paul described the humbled Christ as follows:
He, who being in very nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be used for His own advantage, but made Himself of no reputation by taking the form of a servant and coming in human likeness. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:6-8).
And further the exalted Christ:
Therefore God has exalted Him to the highest place and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:8-11).
It is true of the writings of Solomon, the third king of Israel and the son of David: “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honor, and life” (Proverbs 22:4).
The name of Jesus is given because of His humility and obedience to God the Father. The name of Jesus is given so that every knee should bow, and every tongue should confess that He is the Lord (who alone is worthy of all praise and worship) and so ultimately God the Father is glorified.
In the name of Jesus, the Son of God, there is power for salvation, healing (restoration), blessing, and victory.
There Is Salvation in the Name of Jesus
The name of Jesus is the only name under heaven given to mankind by which everyone who believes must be saved (Acts 4:12). Jesus Himself has proclaimed, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
We can be sure of our eternal salvation as we continue to believe in the Son of God (1 John 5:13; John 20:31). Jesus Christ is able to save us completely since He lives forever to intercede with God on our behalf (Hebrews 7:25).
In the name of Jesus, our sins are forgiven as we repent and commit our lives to Him, and we shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit who seals (guarantees) our salvation (Acts 2:38; Ephesians 1:13-14).
There Is Healing in the Name of Jesus
The disciples and Christ’s followers are given the privilege to demonstrate healing power in the name of Jesus (Mark 16:17-18; Acts 3:6, 4:10). The supernatural work of God is manifested through signs and wonders that confirm the authority of the messengers of God (Acts 4:29-31).
Jesus Christ, who gives this divine power, is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He still can heal our diseases and infirmities today just as He has healed people in the past.
There Is Blessing in the Name of Jesus
In Jesus Christ, God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3-14). The purpose of this unlimited blessing in Christ is to bring glory to God the Father,
1. Who has chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world, to make us holy and blameless before Him.
2. Who has predestined us to adoption as His children.
3. Who has accepted us, not because of our merits, but because we are in Christ. This all is possible because of Christ’s work of redemption so that we can have peace with God (Romans 5:1).
There is not only everlasting life but also abundant life in Jesus Christ (John 10:10) and God has promised to supply all our needs from the inexhaustible riches of His glory in Christ (Philippians 4:19).
Therefore, David can confidently say, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1). The Lord is none other than Jesus Christ, who has proclaimed: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
There Is Victory in the Name of Jesus
A wise man once gave good advice: “Be kind to all people since you never know the battle they are going through.” In fact, every one of us is facing a battle — the human mind is a battlefield — and we need the highest power (from the Almighty) to overcome: Our anxieties, addictions, ego, fears, etc.
The good news is that we can have the victory that has overcome the world through Jesus, the Son of God! (1 John 5:4-5). In Him, we can do greater works and our prayers are surely answered (John 14:12-14).
The final, common enemy of mankind and all the living is death — it is the consequence of sins, which separates us from the Creator.
Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ, came the resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20-21), therefore we have this promise that the resurrecting power of the Holy Spirit will also give life to our mortal bodies (Romans 8:11).
In other words, death shall not prevail against Jesus Christ and His believers (1 Corinthians 15:26), so we can boldly proclaim, “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Therefore, knowing that there is power in the name of Jesus, whatever we do in word or deed, let us do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father [for all He is and all He has done] through His Son! (Colossians 3:17).
For further reading:
10 Biblical Girl Names This Year — Meaning and Significance
25 Popular Biblical Boy Names with Meanings and Significance
Why Was Jesus Not Named Immanuel?
Is Yeshua Hamashiach the Proper Hebrew Name for Jesus Christ?
Why Doesn’t God Heal Everyone?
How Is Jesus the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever?
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/ipopba
Philip Wijaya, Ph.D. currently lives in Vancouver, Canada with his wife, Sandra, and their daughter, Shalom. His interest in science and faith in God has motivated him to actively write in his personal blog (philipwijaya.com), in addition to his professional research work in the area of clean energy and chemical engineering. In his leisure time, he enjoys sports, football games, music, and traveling with family.
