“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. … And he gave him the name Jesus.”
Matthew 1:24-25
Anglican minister J.C. Ryle, 1816-1900:
“Blessed and holy are Christ’s people! From sorrow, cross, and conflict they are not saved. But they are saved from sin forevermore. They are cleansed from guilt by Christ’s blood. They are made fit for heaven by Christ’s Spirit.…
“Jesus is a very encouraging name to heavy-laden sinners. He who is King of kings and Lord of lords might lawfully have taken some more high-sounding title. But He does not do so. The rulers of this world have often called themselves Great, Conquerors, Bold, Magnificent, and the like. The Son of God is content to call Himself Savior. The souls which desire salvation may draw near to the Father with boldness and have access with confidence through Christ.…
“Jesus is a name which is peculiarly sweet and precious to believers…. It has given them what money cannot buy, even inward peace. It has eased their wearied consciences and given rest to their heavy hearts…. Happy is that person who trusts not merely in vague notions of God’s mercy and goodness, but in Jesus.”
“Blessed and holy are Christ’s people! From sorrow, cross, and conflict they are not saved. But they are saved from sin forevermore. They are cleansed from guilt by Christ’s blood. They are made fit for heaven by Christ’s Spirit.…
“Jesus is a very encouraging name to heavy-laden sinners. He who is King of kings and Lord of lords might lawfully have taken some more high-sounding title. But He does not do so. The rulers of this world have often called themselves Great, Conquerors, Bold, Magnificent, and the like. The Son of God is content to call Himself Savior. The souls which desire salvation may draw near to the Father with boldness and have access with confidence through Christ.…
“Jesus is a name which is peculiarly sweet and precious to believers…. It has given them what money cannot buy, even inward peace. It has eased their wearied consciences and given rest to their heavy hearts…. Happy is that person who trusts not merely in vague notions of God’s mercy and goodness, but in Jesus.”
Scripture Focus
Acts 4:8-12
Insight
“Peace on the earth, good will to men,/ from heaven’s all-gracious King.” (Edmund H. Sears, 1849)
Bible In A Year
- Amos 7-9
- Proverbs 19
- 1 John 5