(Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:31; 3:21)
- The Son of God is identified in Scripture by many names. The greatest and most precious name by which the Son of God is known to believers is Jesus (Phil. 2:9-11). The context reveals that the name “Jesus” acquired supreme greatness because of Christ’s sacrificial work on the Cross (cf., Isa. 53:12).
- Strangely enough, “Jesus” was a popular name among the Israelites … its popularity extending from well before the time the children of Israel entered the “promised land” until around 200 A.D.
- The name “Jesus” means “to save” or “Jehovah the Savior.”
- The origin and derivation of the name “Jesus”:
(a) “Jesus” is the Greek form of the Hebrew name “Joshua” or “Jeshua” or “Hosea” (all great men of Jewish history: one a warrior, one a priest, and one a prophet).
(b) Moses’ successor was originally named “oshea” which means “salvation.”
(c) Moses renamed his successor by prefixing his name with the abbreviated form of “Jehovah” – “Jeh” – making his name “Jeh-oshua” (Num. 13:8, 16).
(d) Later (Num. 14:38) the name was contracted to the more common form of “Joshua.”
(e) The name “Joshua,” “ “Jeshua,” “Hosea” or “Jesus” was designed to communicate a message, i.e., “Jehovah” is the “Savior.”
(f) In Joshua 5:13-15, Joshua worships his name sake … JESUS CHRIST the CAPTAIN of the LORD’S HOSTS.
- Joshua is a type of Jesus Christ.
(a) As Joshua was the deliverer and Savior to the children of Israel in leading them out of the wilderness into the promised land by destroying their enemies.
(b) So also, our Lord Jesus Christ leads us out of the wilderness and darkness of sin into His Glorious Liberty by gaining the victory over our enemies at the Cross (Col. 1:13; Eph. 2:1; 1 Jn. 3:8; Heb. 2:14).
- Jeshua is a type of Jesus Christ (Hag. 1:1, 12).
(a) As Jeshua was the High Priest of God’s people (Zech. 3:1-10) and is seen bearing the guilt and sins of Israel, i.e., the filthy garments.
(b) Note: (1) Strangely enough, it is the High Priest who is seen bearing the guilt and sins and not a sacrificial lamb. (2) As such, Jeshua is not only the priest but also the substitutional sin bearer for the people. (3) The Law of God demands that the one bearing the sin be punished; therefore, Satan is there demanding and accusing.
(c) So also our Lord Jesus is both our High Priest and our substitutional sin bearer (Isa. 53:6; Jn. 1:29; Heb. 9:11-12). When Jesus returns, He will be clad in the clean, royal garments of a King (Heb. 9:28).
- Hosea is a type of Jesus Christ.
(a) As Hosea was the prophet of Grace and Salvation (Rom. 9:25-26).
(b) Note: Hosea’s sad domestic experience, i.e., warnings against sin, repeated offers of mercy, great patience and forbearing love, and his success in redeeming her from sin and death (Hos. 1-3). His whole life was a testimony of the love of God for His people.
(c) So, also, our Lord Jesus was a prophet of grace and salvation (Jn. 1:17). His whole life and death is a testimony of God’s undying love for sinful mankind.
- The name of “Jesus” (associated with the Humanity of Christ) is inevitably associated with His Divine title “Lord” or “Christ” (2 Cor. 4:11-14; 1 Thess. 4:14).
(a) “Jesus Christ” – The God/man Savior.
(b) If Jesus is not the Christ, He is not the Savior; or if Jesus is not God, then He is not the Savior.
(c) But He is Jesus Christ and as such, Paul calls Him our “great God and Savior” (Titus 2:13).
(d) There is no other name by which we can be saved (Acts 4:10-12).