Merry Christmas! I pray that Jesus is your joy this holiday season. We praise God for how He worked through our Christmas Eve services as we finished the Christmas Names of God series. What a joy to preach on the name of Jesus on Christmas Eve! Jesus means “Jehovah saves” and the first place the name is found is in Matthew 1. In the context, we see the meaning even further: “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21).
Jesus is the Name of History
Jesus is the dividing point of history. It is interesting to note that by using AD and BC most everyone marks the date on the calendar by the (approximate) arrival of Jesus. It doesn’t matter if the person is an atheist or believer, the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are the “turning points” in history. Jesus Christ is the difference between the “old” and “new.” BC was “before Christ,” and since His birth, we have been living “in the year of our Lord.” Jesus is alive!
Jesus is the Name of Honor
The Ten Commandments teach us not to take the Lord’s name in vain. The Lord’s Prayer teaches us to hallow or honor His name. There are many famous names – Trump, Obama, Bush, Clinton, Buddha, Krishna, Mohammed, Moses, David, Solomon, Abraham, Noah, etc. But one name is above every name. Philippians 2:9-11 says, “For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow—in heaven and on earth and under the earth— and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Jesus is the Name of Help
One of my all-time favorite Christmas movies is The Preacher’s Wife. In it, Whitney Houston sings some of the most amazing songs. There is one scene where Whitney sings the little boy to sleep: Who made the mountains, who made the trees, who made the rivers flow to the sea, and who hung the moon in the starry sky, somebody bigger than you and I. What is it that you need help with? Our help comes from the Lord, bigger than you and I. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (Prov. 18:10). Whatever problem you are facing, cry out to God for help in Jesus’ name.
Jesus is the Name of Hope
The message of the angels to the Shepherds was joy to the world. Peace on earth. Goodwill to men. Hope is what you are looking forward to. What is your mate, are your children, looking forward to? How can someone have joy at Christmas when they’ve experienced a tragedy this year? One name. Jesus! Christmas can be a hard time, but the message of Christmas is good news! It is about life, not death. Jesus is coming again to wipe every tear from our eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things will pass away. He makes all things new!
Jesus is the Name of Heaven
Joseph and Mary didn’t have to think of names for their baby. The angel told them to call him Jesus. Jesus was named by the Father because He is the only begotten Son of God. He came from heaven, to do the work of heaven. He has gone to prepare a place for us in heaven, and one day He will come receive us. No one can save themselves. Good works or religion won’t save. Acts 4:12 says, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Jesus came into our world so one day we can come into His world.
I don’t know what you are going through in your health, finances, emotions, marriage, job, etc., but there is power in the name of Jesus!