How should Matthew 1:21 influence our understanding of Jesus' purpose in our lives? The heart of Matthew 1:21 “She will give birth to a Son, and you shall name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) Names carry mission • “Jesus” (Hebrew Yeshua) means “Yahweh saves.” • God Himself chose the name, linking the Child’s identity to His saving work. • Scripture treats names as prophetic (Genesis 17:5; Isaiah 9:6); here, the name declares His purpose before His first breath. The need He meets • Sin is universal (Romans 3:23) and lethal (Romans 6:23). • No ritual, effort, or philosophy can erase guilt (Isaiah 64:6). • We require a Savior who is both God (able) and man (substitute). Matthew 1:23 confirms Jesus as “Immanuel… God with us.” What “save” truly means • Rescue from penalty: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). • Release from power: “He gave Himself… to redeem us from all lawlessness” (Titus 2:14). • Restoration to purpose: “to purify for Himself a people… zealous for good deeds” (Titus 2:14). Implications for daily living • Assurance—Salvation is His work, not ours (Ephesians 2:8-9). • Identity—We are “His people,” belonging to Him (1 Peter 2:9). • Freedom—Sin no longer rules; we walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). • Mission—Join Him in seeking the lost (Luke 19:10) and proclaim the only saving name (Acts 4:12). • Hope—The One who saved us will return for us (John 14:3), completing what He began (Philippians 1:6). Responding to the Savior • Trust His finished work (John 3:16-17). • Turn from sin, embracing the life He offers (Acts 3:19). • Treasure His name daily—pray in it, act under it, speak it with confidence (Colossians 3:17). |
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