Jesus

Have you ever thought about how very common the name “Jesus” was when Joseph was told to name Mary’s son? It would have been like using the name “Joshua.” The angel comes and tells Joseph- “Don’t worry. Your fiancé will have a son conceived of the Holy Spirit who will save his people, and you should name him ’Josh.’” Seems a little ordinary, doesn’t it?

But it’s not exactly like that, because the name has a meaning that has been full of promise for centuries. Remember, there were Joshuas born into captivity, even slavery. There was a brave and godly Joshua who led the people into the Promised Land. And there were hundreds, probably thousands of Joshuas who lived and died in obscurity. But every Joshua carried the reminder of the name’s meaning, “God saves,” into the world around.

There is one more detail about this name that grabbed my attention when I read it. The original version of the name “Jesus” was “Yeshua” or “Yehoshua, “ which actually means “YHWH saves.” Not any of the other commonly used names for God, but the most unique and holy name, Yahweh.

So we have this juxtaposition of an ordinary, commonly given name and an ancient promise. Jesus, Yahweh saves. Ordinary, yes. But at the same time, not ordinary at all.

I have been deeply blessed by these last few weeks of intentionally considering a few of the names of God. I hope you have had a chance to spend a few minutes each week focusing fully on Yahweh, Elohim, Adonai, Father, Messiah- not starting with what he has done in us or for us (though those are holy moments as well) but starting with his nature- his eternal presence, power, love, beauty.

Let’s continue that practice in the next couple of weeks as we consider the human presence of God in Jesus. Maybe you, like me, find this to be one of the most difficult mysteries of all- Jesus as a fully human God and a fully divine human.

Let’s allow this mystery to overwhelm us, and let’s allow our hearts to grow into deeper love and wonder for this man who lived and still lives, who moved among humans and still moves, who interceded for us and intercedes still. Who calls us friend and family.

Who fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, and is shining a light into a world of darkness.

Because if this God of love and presence and power delights in me, I don’t want to waste a moment of my life not delighting in him. One day, at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, and I don’t want that to be a new posture for me.