Jesus: the Saviour’s name

MATTHEW 1:21 | JOHN CAMERON

‘She will give birth to a son and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’

Being a parent involves many responsibilities and one of the earliest involves naming your child, providing a “label” which will normally be with them for life.

I recall many discussions with my wife, Rosemary, about what we might name our children. I wanted a name that reflected my Celtic heritage and had a positive meaning. Afterall they were being lumbered with Cameron, meaning “crooked nose”, for a surname.  For Rosemary, as a teacher, the name also had to avoid memories of a challenging child from a current or previous class. In the end we settled on Eilidh, meaning “radiant one”, and Calum, meaning “dove”.

Joesph didn’t have to worry about selecting a name for his son, as his Heavenly Father had already chosen one and what a name- Jesus, meaning “salvation” or “saviour”. This baby would be a redeemer of sin and saver of souls. A short, five-lettered, name but a gigantic role across the generations. It is estimated that between 2.3 and 2.6 billion people currently follow Jesus around the world and Christianity is growing faster than the global population. This was certainly one baby who has gone on to live up to his name!

Dear God, we pray for parents everywhere, who have been given the role and responsibilities of caring for and guiding their children through the challenges of life. Lord would you help Christian parents to introduce their children to this Jesus, who can save them from their sins. We thank you that today many people know the reality of that salvation.