“And behold, thou shalt conceive in  thy womb and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.”

Luke 1:31 KJV

The angel Gabriel, who was sent by God,  announced to the Virgin Mary that she was going to have a son.  That son would be supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit.  And she was to call his name “Jesus”.  In Hebrew the name is Yeshua.   In Greek it is Iesous.  In English it is Jeshua.   We call it Joshua.  The name literally means  “Jehovah is Salvation.”  It is important to note that that name was common among the Jewish people. 

Today there is no other name that is more loved or hated than the Name of Jesus!  To those who have opened their hearts and experienced the saving and transforming power of Jesus in their life, that Name is precious!  It is cherished, honored, and loved.  It is only in that Name that we can receive salvation from our sin (Acts 4:12) and the wrath of God that our sin deserves (John 3:36).

But that Name is also hated by others.  They hate that Name because the very mention of that Name exposes their sin and the darkness in their hearts (John 3: 19-20).  That Name is increasingly attacked today in our culture. And the cost of honoring that Name will increase as we continue moving closer to the Lord’s return.   There are many saints of God around the world who have sacrificed their lives because of that Name!  But looking from the standpoint of eternity, all of them would say to us that it is worth it! 

There is power in the Name of Jesus to redeem from sin, to heal physically and emotionally, and to deliver from the powers of darkness!  So let us continue to lift up that Name both in word and in deed.  There is no name anywhere like the Name of Jesus! 

Rev. James W. Black