PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 1

What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?

“The name Jesus… he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
I prefer to use the name Jesus, than the title Christ.
It’s not that I don’t believe that Jesus is the Christ (anointed/promised one).
But a first name is used when you have a personal relationship.
I do not call my spouse ‘wife’ (her role), but Valerie (her name).
Jesus is the Greek version of the Hebrew Joshua, which means ‘YHWH saves’.
YHWH is the personal name of God, though we translate it as Lord, a title.
We seem to prefer to keep God and Jesus at a distance with impersonal titles.
Jesus is close to me, he loves me, he died to rescue and restore me.
His name means more than ‘Saviour’, it means ‘my Saviour’ – this is personal!
My whole faith life revolves around this personal relationship.
Jesus has changed my life, setting me on the path to life, hope, love.
This is how we saves us, by restoring us into loving fellowship with God.
For years my faith was an understanding and belief in ideas and teachings.
But now my faith is a relationship with God and Jesus, and it is better by far!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank you for bringing me into a close relationship with you, and with God. Knowing you as my Saviour and God as my Father is the greatest blessing of all!