by Rev Steve Nickodemus

The One Who Saves

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“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.”
Matthew 1:21

In many Christmas programs and nativity scenes, Joseph often plays third fiddle to Mary and of course, the Christ child.  But Joseph, though he was not Jesus’ biological father, played a much larger role in the Christmas story than may first seem apparent.

For Joseph was not only provider and protector in the Holy Family, it was Joseph to whom was given the responsibility and the honor to name the Christ child.  Eight days after the birth, when the rabbi asked Joseph what the child would be named, he solemnly intoned “Jesus” as the name for the Messiah.  For the angel had told him, “… you are to give Him the name Jesus”.  Why that name?  Because Yeshua means “the one who saves”.  And the angel had further said, “…because He will save His people from their sins.”

Jesus, the Savior, the Savior from sins.  One who rescues His people not from their earthly enemies, but One who rescues His people from sin, from death, from the devil, from eternal judgment.  It is by the name of Jesus that we are saved from sin and by no other name shall we be saved.  It is Jesus who died upon the cross and Jesus who rose from the grave and Jesus who is Lord.

Through that virgin birth, in that cold manger, on that starry Bethlehem night, the Savior of the world entered into human history and vanquished the curse of the Law, the stain of our sin, the sentence of death.

“Jesus! Name of wondrous love, Name all other names above, Unto which must every knee Bow in deep humility.”

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado