A Few Minutes in Matthew
Matthew 1:21
“She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus…”

Explanation of the Text
Here, the angel gives Joseph not only permission to take Mary as his wife but also authority to name the child, a fatherly act that legally incorporates Jesus into the line of David.

Names in Scripture are never accidental. “Jesus” (Yeshu’a) means “Yahweh saves.” Yahweh is the name God calls himself when Moses asks in Exodus 3:13-15, a name translated in the New Testament as “I AM.” In other words, Jesus’ name literally means “God saves.”

This is, of course, the heart of the Gospel: Jesus is not simply a teacher, healer, or moral example. His very name declares His mission: the Lord saves. Not “will help you save yourself,” but “saves.” The saving action belongs to God alone.

By giving the name before the birth, God is announcing the mission before the child draws His first breath. Jesus comes not to inspire, not to reform, not to correct, but to save, to rescue sinners who cannot rescue themselves.

What This Teaches Me About God
God names His salvation and gives it a face. He does not leave us to wonder who He is or what He intends. His purpose is clear: to save, not condemn; to redeem, not destroy.

What This Teaches Me About Myself
I need salvation, not self-improvement. My problem is deeper than habits or behavior; my need is for rescue, and only God can provide. Jesus comes for sinners like me.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to save. Let Your name be my comfort and hope every day. Amen.