December 17, 2019
What's in a Name?
Matthew 1:18-25
Amber Hapka
Central Truth
We need saving! Jesus, God in the flesh, came to provide saving from our sins. He was with the people just as Isaiah prophesied some 700 years earlier. Today, Jesus is with us as believers in Him through His Spirit! As we prepare to celebrate His birth next week, reflect on this amazing gift!
Key Verse | Matthew 1:21-23
"She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel"
(which means, God with us).
Matthew 1:18-25
The Birth of Jesus Christ
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ 1 1:18 Some manuscripts of the Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed 2 1:18 That is, legally pledged to be married to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Dive Deeper | Matthew 1:18-25
Have you ever had the privilege of naming someone or something? It's a huge responsibility. When we were expecting our son, my husband and I knew immediately that we wanted his first name to be Titus. We were both encouraged by the faithfulness of the biblical Titus. We wanted our son to have a strong name that would inspire him to learn about Jesus, and we pray that he will come to know about God's love at an early age. That made picking his name easy, but then came the middle name. What goes with Titus? Should we have a nickname? It took months to decide!
Mary and Joseph also had an incredible responsibility in naming their son, but they didn't take months to decide. Joseph quickly obeyed when the angel of the Lord came to visit him. Mary gave birth, and they called their baby Jesus—the One who saves!
What an incredible privilege Mary had. One of my favorite Christmas songs to listen to this time of year is "Mary, Did You Know?" One of the lines is, "Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new? This child that you've delivered will soon deliver you." Mary and Joseph were obedient. But did they know just what Jesus would mean to the world?
What does the name Jesus mean to you? It means everything to me. Because of Jesus, I am not defined by my pride, people pleasing, and selfishness. I am forgiven! Romans 3:23 reminds us, "[F]or all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." But Acts 2:21 tells us, "And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." I am comforted to know that the Spirit is with me today!
Christmas is about celebrating Christ's birth and the gift of salvation. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) That's the only gift I need this Christmas season!
Discussion Questions
1. Have you trusted in the free gift of salvation that God offers through Jesus? If not, how can we help you understand His love for you? Comment below for more information about this gift.
2. If you have trusted in Christ for your salvation, who will you tell about this amazing gift this week leading up to Christmas? Put their first name in the comments below so we all can pray for them.
3. Isaiah 9:6 tells us,
"and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
What are some other names for Jesus that can offer comfort and peace? A few times a year, I like to pray through the names and attributes of God using a 30-day resource located here.
4. God has made many promises in the Old and New Testaments. In Numbers 23:19, we are reminded that all will be carried out. How have you experienced God's fulfillment of His promises through Christ in your life?