JESUS
"Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." ~ Matthew 1.20b-21
"And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall call his name Jesus." ~ Luke 1.31
When the angel Gabriel announced to both Joseph and Mary that Mary would conceive and give birth to a son, they were both told that his name was to be Jesus.
According to Philippians 2.9 there is power in the name of Jesus and this name is exalted above every other name. Why?
The name Jesus is the English translation of the New Testament Greek word “Iesous,” which in turn comes from the Old Testament Hebrew word, “Yeshua” (translated into English as “Joshua”). The meaning of this name is “Yahweh saves” or “Yahweh is salvation.”
Joshua aided Moses in rescuing the Hebrew people from their wanderings in the wilderness and then led them to victory into the Promised Land of Canaan. He was a reflection of God’s will and power to deliver His people.
Jesus, in a much grander and perfect manner, epitomized God’s desire to rescue, not only the Jewish people, but the entire world, reconciling them to Himself, and lead them into the Promised Land of His Kingdom.
While Joshua symbolized God’s plan to rescue His people, Jesus perfectly executed His Father’s plan by becoming the atoning sacrifice on behalf of everyone in the world. As God in human form he was Yahweh who saves. (John 3.16-17).
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for coming to save me. Thank you for coming in the innocence and vulnerability of a child so that you might identify in humility and weakness with all of mankind. Thank you for being God in the flesh that might rescue all that follow after you. Amen.
Madonna and Baby Jesus (2023)
by unknown Peruvian artist
(oil on canvas, Thames collection, Portland, TX)
The theme of the Virgin Mary with the Christ child dates back to the era of the Roman Empire. Frescoes, paintings, lithographs, and countless other mediums have been used to portray the baby Jesus and His mother. Greatly used in Western and Eastern Church iconography traditions and copied by great Renaissance artists of the Medieval period, these beautiful pieces of art have transfixed worshipers of Jesus.
This piece was painted by unknown female artists in Peru and show Mary and Jesus adorned with golden crowns and a beautiful frock and blanket bejeweled with gold ornamentation befitting of the King of Kings. The Christ child holds a pink rose, possibly foreboding the future passion and sacrifice of Jesus.
The use of light draws the eye of the viewer into the joyous and contented expressions of both mother and child and invite the viewer to partake of the experience of wonder and awe that comes with holding a newborn child.
Madonna and Baby Jesus (2023)
by unknown Peruvian artist
(oil on canvas, Thames collection, Portland, TX)
The theme of the Virgin Mary with the Christ child dates back to the era of the Roman Empire. Frescoes, paintings, lithographs, and countless other mediums have been used to portray the baby Jesus and His mother. Greatly used in Western and Eastern Church iconography traditions and copied by great Renaissance artists of the Medieval period, these beautiful pieces of art have transfixed worshipers of Jesus.
This piece was painted by unknown female artists in Peru and show Mary and Jesus adorned with golden crowns and a beautiful frock and blanket bejeweled with gold ornamentation befitting of the King of Kings. The Christ child holds a pink rose, possibly foreboding the future passion and sacrifice of Jesus.
The use of light draws the eye of the viewer into the joyous and contented expressions of both mother and child and invite the viewer to partake of the experience of wonder and awe that comes with holding a newborn child.
Playlist Daily Highlight
Take the time to listen . . . really listen to the words of this song. Reflect on them. Let God’s spirit speak to you in this moment.
