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Matthew 1:20-21

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “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.”

In the Old Testament, the name Yahweh was God’s intimate name. The name Yahweh explained that God desired to have a personal relationship with man. In the New Testament, the personal name for God is Jesus. The name Jesus, or Iesous in Greek, comes from the Hebrew name Yeshua, translated Joshua in English Bibles.[1] The name Jesus is tied to God’s Old Testament name because it means, “Yahweh saves” or “Yahweh is salvation.”

Have you ever considered God to be as distant as the stars he created? Have you ever felt God to be a stern disciplinarian ready to punish you when you say something you shouldn’t say or do something you shouldn’t do? If you believe God is out of reach, reconsider the Person named Jesus.

Jesus showed us that God is not distant. Jesus came to earth to reveal the Father (John 14:9). He became a man, lived among us, and offered grace and forgiveness. He came to seek and save those who were lost (Luke 19:10). Jesus voluntarily went to the cross to die for your sins, to pay sin’s penalty as your substitute. He provided the way—the only way—to have an eternal relationship with God. Jesus is, indeed, “the Lord saves.”

Father,

I pray for any person who does not know Jesus as “the Lord saves.” I pray that you will open their heart to trust in Jesus alone as their personal Savior, as the only One who can forgive their sins and place them into an eternal relationship with you.

In his name. Amen.

Let us know how we can pray for you. Email us at prayer@ronmoore.org.

[1] Ann Spangler, The Names of God, p. 210

Today’s Journey Message:

Does Character Count? Part 2