Pastor's Corner

for Sunday 27 December
He was called Jesus.
“And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.” (Luke 2:21) Luke seems to be stressing to us the importance of the name Jesus since before Mary was even pregnant God told her what the child’s name would be. Why is this name important? Because Jesus’ name explains why he came to this world - he came to “save his people from their sins.”(Matt. 1:21). His name is inextricably tied to his role as savior. So, when we understand the meaning of Jesus’ name we understand his role as savior and understand the message of the gospel. The apostle Peter declares to the Jewish leaders of his day that there is “no other name under heaven...by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) The apostle Paul tells us that “God has highly exalted him [Jesus] and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Everything about Jesus, right down to his name is about him saving men from their sins. That’s why he came, that’s why he died and that’s why he’s coming back again, so that those who have put their faith in him will live forever with him in heaven. To many “Jesus” is just another name but to us who have received the forgiveness of our sins it is the precious name of our Lord and Savior.
Pastor Don.