“You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matt. 1:21)
“Of [David’s] offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as He promised.” (Acts 13:23)
A poor, young Jewish girl in Nazareth, around the year 5 B.C., received an astonishing message from the angel Gabriel: “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you! … behold, you will conceive and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus,” (Luke 1:26-31).
This was the Son of God, and His name was chosen by the Father. The name “Jesus” in our English New Testament is not a direct translation from the Greek, but rather a transliteration, where Greek letters are adapted into English. If fully translated, His name would read, “Yahweh is Salvation.”
Some may assume that the name “Jesus” only appears in the New Testament, but this is not the case. It appears in different forms throughout the Old Testament. The Hebrew derivatives of “Jesus” manifest in words related to salvation and deliverance. For instance:
- “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD,” (Ex. 14:13, Yeshuah).
- “Truly, You are a God who hides Himself, O God of Israel, the Savior,” (Isa. 45:15, Yahshaw).
- “Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will hear him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand.” (Ps. 20:6, Yehshah).
In the Old Testament, the name “Jesus” takes the form of “Joshua” (Yeshuah or Yeshuah Meshiach), meaning “Anointed Savior.” The Hebrew term Meshiach (Messiah) refers to the One chosen, ordained, and anointed by the Spirit to accomplish God’s divine work of redemption. Thus, from Genesis to Malachi, “Yahweh is Salvation” is repeatedly declared in types and shadows, pointing to the Messiah.
Henry Ainsworth, a renowned Hebrew scholar, explains: “Jehovah is salvation means salvation is, or salvation belongs to, or of Jehovah is salvation, help, or deliverance.” This matters because salvation, deliverance, and saving power—all central to Old Testament revelation—point directly to the name of Jesus, the Anointed Savior of the New Testament. To say “Jesus Christ” is to confess “Yahweh is Salvation” and “The Anointed Savior” of God.
This truth was a burden to the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. To acknowledge Him by His name—Yahweh is Salvation—was to admit He was the fulfillment of all that the Law and Prophets declared. They despised Him, rejected Him, and plotted to kill Him, refusing to call Him “Savior.” Instead, they distanced themselves by calling Him “Rabbi” or “Teacher.”
Yet Mary, His mother, would have addressed Him as “Yeshuah,” the Hebrew name meaning salvation. Whether in Hebrew or Greek, His name declares who He is—our Redeemer. Jesus is not merely the Savior; He is salvation itself. His very name embodies the hope of every believer.
Do you call upon your Lord affectionately as Jesus—your salvation, Savior, and strength? Do you adore God for the gift of His Son, Yahweh is Salvation?
“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father,” (Phil. 2:10-11).
Contemplations:
- The Meaning of His Name. Lord Jesus, I am humbled when I realize how often I take Your name for granted. I once thought of it as nothing more than a title, but now I understand that every time I speak it, I am affirming the Gospel itself—You are my Savior! Your very name proclaims that You save Your people from their sins. Help me grasp the depth of this truth whenever I read or say Your name.
- Seeing His Name Throughout Scripture. I once thought Your name was found only in the New Testament, but now I see that it echoes throughout the Old Testament as well. From eternity past, You have been Jesus—”Yahweh is Salvation.” As I read the Psalms and the Prophets, I now recognize that every reference to Deliverer, Savior, salvation, and the saving arm of the Lord is a declaration of You. Forgive me for not seeing this before and help me read now with greater attention and understanding so that I may behold You in all of Scripture.
- Who is Jesus to Me? Jesus, You are the eternal Son of God, who left the glories of heaven to take on human flesh in order to be my Savior. You endured temptation, suffered, and remained sinless, fulfilling all righteousness on my behalf. You bore the wrath of God in my place, paying the debt I could never satisfy. You died, rose again, and ascended in victory, reigning forever as the Anointed Savior of all who believe. And I am among those believers! Thank You for saving me.
- Christ as Master and Lord. Your name alone declares that You are my Lord, my Master, and the sovereign ruler over all things. You uphold the universe by the word of Your power. You govern the nations, direct the course of history, and preserve Your church. When I look at the world around me, filled with chaos and uncertainty, I find peace in knowing that You reign. No enemy can stand against You. No trial is outside Your providence. Help me rest in the power of Your grace, seeing You as my Savior, my Lord, and my King.
Prayer:
O Lord Jesus, I bow before You, my Savior and my King. Your name alone is salvation, for You are the fulfillment of all that was promised. You are the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world, the Deliverer foretold by the prophets, the Anointed One sent to redeem. Your name is life, for apart from You, there is no salvation.
Yet, Lord, how often have I spoken Your name without considering its weight? How easily have I uttered it without pausing to marvel at its meaning? Forgive my dullness of heart. Forgive me for taking lightly the very name that declares my redemption. You are not just my Savior in word, but in truth. You are Yahweh’s salvation—my salvation.
I thank You, Lord, that Your name is written upon my soul. I thank You that You did not leave me in darkness but called me into the light of Your grace. You have saved me from the wrath I deserved, from the condemnation of sin, and from the power of death itself. You are my Deliverer, my strong tower, my eternal hope. And I will proclaim Your name with joy.
Now, Lord, I ask that You deepen my understanding of Your name. Let me see You in all of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation. Open my eyes to the richness of Your Word, that I may behold You in every page. Let me read with a heart that seeks You, that I might know You more fully.
Let me never shrink back from confessing Your name before men. Strengthen my faith that I may bear witness boldly to the salvation that is found in You alone. Let me proclaim to all who will hear that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
At Your name, every knee shall bow. At Your name, every tongue will confess that You are Lord. And I will declare it now, with joy overflowing—Jesus, You are my Savior!
In Your mighty name I pray, Amen.
Further References for Matthew 1:21:
Ps. 27:1, 38:22; Luke 1:31, 2:11; Acts 4:12, 5:31, 13:38; John 1:29.
