 |
The name Jesus is easier to understand if we look at the Hebrew name for God used in Psalm 68:4. The word 'Jah' is another name for the God of the Bible. The name 'Jesus' means 'God is Salvation'. Jesus is the Greek word for the Hebrew name Joshua.
In the first book of the New Testament the angel announces that JESUS would be born. He would be called Jesus because he would save his people from their sins.
When we read through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John- we find the Author telling us each time how Jesus came, where he walked, what he did, how he died, how he rose from the dead.
But when people spoke with or about Jesus, they almost never called him Jesus. This makes us wonder-- 'Who is the Author of these gospels?'
In Matthew a Leper calls Jesus 'Lord' and asks for help. A Centurion does the same. He is called 'Jesus, Son of David'- the promised King. Or 'Jesus, Master'.
When we read of Jesus going about doing good, it must be the Father in heaven who is writing of his Beloved Son.
The Holy Spirit inspired the writers of the New Testament, and especially the gospel writers, to give us a special record of the love of God for the Son, and the love of God's Son for us.
We especially see God's love for us when Jesus died on the cross for our sins. When some gentile Greek worshippers came and asked to see Jesus, we read soon after how he died on the cross for them.
Paul tells the Hebrew Christians: 'but we see Jesus'. And Paul wrote much about how God loves the Jews and sent his Son to be the Deliverer.
The Lord is introduced to the Jewish people in Matthew's gospel by the angel as Jesus, the One who would save his people from their sins.
Near the end of the Bible Christ says: 'I Jesus have sent my angel to tell of these things in the churches'. The churches in Asia were part of the gentile churches.
John ends the Bible with the words: 'The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.' Again we learn of God's grace in sending the Savior.
|
|  |  | | |
|