Thoughts for the Day

Jesus Is Named

After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

(New Revised Standard Version)
(Note I am not using the Lectionary today!)

Thoughts

On the eighth day Mary's baby is circumcised according to tradition, and named. As we have seen before names have real significance in the Hebrew scriptures (our Old Testament), and they describe the character of a person or possibly something about their destiny. We find in both Matthew and Luke's Gospels that it is God who has given Jesus his name. Both accounts highlight that it was not a mere human decision but a declaration of his heavenly mission. In Matthew's Gospel, the angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream, saying: ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ (Matthew 1.18-21). He is also given the reason for the name!

The name "Jesus" is the English version of a Greek name "Iēsous," which comes from the Hebrew "Yeshua" meaning "Yahweh saves".

In Luke's Gospel we get a different view of the giving of the name, Jesus. Again we have the heavenly command from an angel, this time it is the Archangel Gabriel to Mary. He reinforces God's plan that this is the promised Messiah who has come to save His people. He is to be a King and his throne is to last for ever. (Luke 1.26-35)

Christians throughout the centuries have invoked the name of Jesus in prayer, believing in its power to heal, protect, and bring peace. The "Jesus Prayer," a simple way of doing this:

• "Lord Jesus Christ,
  Son of God,
  have mercy on me,
  a sinner."

This prayer reflects our hope, and the trust that we place in the name of Jesus, our Saviour.

Jesus, our Redeemer,
we call upon Your name for salvation.
As we acknowledge our shortcomings
we seek the power of Your love
to make changes to our life.
When we feel despair or uncertainty
may Your name be our refuge,
that we too can say:
"Lord Jesus Christ,
Son of God,
have mercy on me, a sinner".
Then may we look forward in hope.
Amen.