So, what is the Name of the true Lord? This is a good question and sadly, a question that still confuses people to this day. Nevertheless, like we do, God also has a Name. In the old covenant, God used over 100 names to identify Himself to those who sought Him in their day to day. Therefore, it should not come as a surprise that in the New Testament side God gave us another Name -- one that is linked to salvation. Indeed, the ONLY name whereby we must be saved in this current dispensation of grace. (Acts 4:12)
To that end, the birth of the promised Messiah -- the prophesied Christ --marked a new beginning. More than the blank page which separates the old from the new in our Bibles. And this came to pass, when the angel of the Lord announced the precious holy Name of "JESUS" to all the world. "And ye shall call His Name JESUS -- for He shall save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)
The true I/Emmanuel, which being interpreted, God with us! (Matthew 1:23) And as we understand from the scriptures, His Name -- the Name of JESUS -- was announced BEFORE Mary conceived. The Holy Ghost this signifying that this was the appointed time for the dayspring from on high to visit His people. (Hebrews 9:8, 14) And as Mary points out, "For He that is mighty hath done to me great things and holy is His Name." (Luke 1:49)
"Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11) "This day have I begotten Thee!" saith the Lord God. This is confirmed when Peter said on the day of Pentecost, that "this same Jesus whom ye have crucified is both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:36) But I digress somewhat.
What is important is to see the reactions of those who witnessed the birth of Jesus. First, Luke records how Mary's soul magnified the Lord, and that her spirit acknowledged that God had literally become her Saviour. For Mary, the mother of Jesus, this was no ordinary occasion. It was not just another passing day. But rather, as the angel said to Mary, "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore, also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35)
But there is more. When the angel of the Lord came upon the country shepherds, and the glory of the Lord shone all around, and they were sore afraid, what did the angel say? "Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to ALL people, for unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward man." (Luke 2:8-14)
As noted in the scriptures, the shepherds did not waste any time in broadcasting the news. Indeed, the shepherds desired in their hearts to see this thing which is/has come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto them. (Luke 2:15) When they had seen, these same shepherds made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning the child. “And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.” (Luke 2:16-18)
Also, when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, His Name was called JESUS -- which was so named of the angel BEFORE He was conceived in the womb.
JESUS -- the only Name given under heaven whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
JESUS -- the Name that is above every other name. (Philippians 2:9)
The true I/Emmanuel, which being interpreted, God with us! (Matthew 1:23) And as we understand from the scriptures, His Name -- the Name of JESUS -- was announced BEFORE Mary conceived. The Holy Ghost this signifying that this was the appointed time for the dayspring from on high to visit His people. (Hebrews 9:8, 14) And as Mary points out, "For He that is mighty hath done to me great things and holy is His Name." (Luke 1:49)
"Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11) "This day have I begotten Thee!" saith the Lord God. This is confirmed when Peter said on the day of Pentecost, that "this same Jesus whom ye have crucified is both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:36) But I digress somewhat.
What is important is to see the reactions of those who witnessed the birth of Jesus. First, Luke records how Mary's soul magnified the Lord, and that her spirit acknowledged that God had literally become her Saviour. For Mary, the mother of Jesus, this was no ordinary occasion. It was not just another passing day. But rather, as the angel said to Mary, "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore, also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35)
But there is more. When the angel of the Lord came upon the country shepherds, and the glory of the Lord shone all around, and they were sore afraid, what did the angel say? "Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to ALL people, for unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward man." (Luke 2:8-14)
As noted in the scriptures, the shepherds did not waste any time in broadcasting the news. Indeed, the shepherds desired in their hearts to see this thing which is/has come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto them. (Luke 2:15) When they had seen, these same shepherds made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning the child. “And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.” (Luke 2:16-18)
Also, when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, His Name was called JESUS -- which was so named of the angel BEFORE He was conceived in the womb.
JESUS -- the only Name given under heaven whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
JESUS -- the Name that is above every other name. (Philippians 2:9)
Therefore, as believers in JESUS by faith, we come to trust in this Name because in the Name of JESUS, there is healing, and deliverance, salvation and victory, sustenance and spiritual manna, and renewal of both our hearts and minds. JESUS is the Name we are water baptized in. (Acts 2:36-41)
It should also be noted that the precious Name of JESUS was the offence within society, even then, during the times of the early church. This is why the apostles were commanded not to preach or teach in the Name of JESUS ... because the system type authorities (both religious and political) whose livelihoods were threatened did not want ordinary people to know that there is abundant life in His Name. Still, what did the Lord Jesus say when He walked this earth?
"And whatsoever ye shall ask in My Name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in My Name, I will do. If ye love Me, keep My commandments ..." (John 14:13)
Yes, "God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them .... That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;" (Ephesians 2:4-10, 12-14)
God Himself brought forth toward men and women everywhere a proclamation of peace and good will. After His kindness, He showed His love for His beloved creation on that cross when He willingly became our Saviour. In other words, for us to know the Lord God who created us in the beginning, there had to be a perfect sacrifice. Thus, no other sacrifice would have been sufficient for our salvation. With this understanding, our hearts be joyful, like that of Simeon who recognized JESUS as the prophesied Lord's Christ. (Luke 2:26)
The same salvation of the Lord which He prepared before the face of all people -- a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel. (Luke 2:25-32)
"Behold, the Lamb of God!" The Good Shepherd which gave His life for the lost sheep. He is the treasure that we should be seeking every moment of every day, for He is the giver of life. And this same God has a Name, a most precious holy Name given specifically to us.
It is no wonder that Jesus said, "I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, He shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture." (John 10:9)
Stand in the offering plate.
God Himself brought forth toward men and women everywhere a proclamation of peace and good will. After His kindness, He showed His love for His beloved creation on that cross when He willingly became our Saviour. In other words, for us to know the Lord God who created us in the beginning, there had to be a perfect sacrifice. Thus, no other sacrifice would have been sufficient for our salvation. With this understanding, our hearts be joyful, like that of Simeon who recognized JESUS as the prophesied Lord's Christ. (Luke 2:26)
The same salvation of the Lord which He prepared before the face of all people -- a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel. (Luke 2:25-32)
"Behold, the Lamb of God!" The Good Shepherd which gave His life for the lost sheep. He is the treasure that we should be seeking every moment of every day, for He is the giver of life. And this same God has a Name, a most precious holy Name given specifically to us.
It is no wonder that Jesus said, "I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, He shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture." (John 10:9)
Stand in the offering plate.
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