WHAT A LOVELY NAME IS JESUS

SERIES: CHRISTMAS

TEXT: LUKE 1:26-38

The name “JESUS” is the sweetest name on earth and in heaven. “JESUS” is the name that is above all other names-Phil. 2:5-8. It is the name God gave His only begotten son.

Jesus was a common name given to baby boys in Israel. It was a name given to one of the heroes of Israel Joshua. Joshua and Jesus mean the same thing “Jehovah is salvation.”

When Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago, there were many children in Israel named Jesus, but there was none like Him.

When angel Gabriel visited Mary, he told her to name the baby “JESUS”-Luke 1:31. A few months later, the angel told Joseph to call the child “JESUS”-Matthew 1:20-21.

After the baby was born, when He was 8 days old, Mary and Joseph took Him to be circumcised and on that 8^th day they obeyed and called the baby “JESUS”-Luke 2:21. Today let us examine this lovely name together, “What a lovely name Jesus.” Let us examine:-

HIS NAME DECLARES HIS IDENTITY-Luke 1:32-35.

• 32. He is the son of God-“He shall be called the son of the Most High.”
• This baby is not like any other baby.
• He is the son of God, the eternal son of God.
• He existed externally with the Father from eternity past, He would step into time and be born through the womb of a virgin-Isa. 7:14.
• He is Emmanuel meaning “God with us”-Matt. 1:23.
• That is who Jesus Christ is. He is the son of God, He is God in human flesh, He is God with us.
• When you say the name “JESUS” you are naming the name of God.

He is the King of Israel-Vs. 32.

“The Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David.”

• This baby, born to humble people of humble means would be a direct descendant of King David.
• This baby would fulfil God’s promise to King David a thousand years earlier-2^nd 7:4-17.
• This baby one day in future would sit on the throne of David and crowned King of Kings and Lord of Lord’s.
• He will reign forever and ever-Isa. 9:6-7; Rev. 19:15.
• When you say the name “JESUS” you are calling the name King of Kings.

He is the fulfilment of prophecy-Vs. 33.

“He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever.”

• This phrase reaches far back, beyond the time of David, to the days of Jacob.
• Genesis 49:10, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.”
• As Jacob lay dying, the old patriarch told Judah that his descendants would be rulers of the people of Israel.
• Jacob said ultimately, one known as “Shiloh” would come.
• The name Shiloh means “He whose it is.”
• It means that one day the supreme ruler will come.
• This ruler will be possessor of the people and of all other things.
• Jacob said “And unto Him shall the gathering of the people be.”
• “Gathering” refers to “obedience, cleansing, purging.” It means this supreme king will be reverenced by the people. He will purge them and claim them for His own.
• At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow.
• When you say the name “JESUS” you are talking about the one Messiah, Savior and Christ.

He is the champion of humility-Vs. 32.

• The angel said, “He shall be great.” Great in importance and in estimation.
• Jesus Christ is “The greatest of the great.”
• The first Adam was a miracle because he was made in the image of God. He was formed from the dust of the earth and God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life-Gen. 1:26-27; 2:7.
• This first man sinned and brought sin, death condemnation upon all descendants-Rom. 5:12.
• The first Adam brought shame, disgrace and curse upon all his offspring.
• The second Adam fixed everything that the first Adam broke.
• When Jesus Christ was born, He was without sin, He lived without sin, He died for sin.
• God was made in the image of man-Phil. 2:5-8.
• The second Adam was a greater miracle than the first Adam because he caused light to shine in darkness, He cause life to come out of death.
• Jesus Christ is the champion of all humanity-Isa. 9:6.
• When you call the name of Jesus you are talking about our hero.

HIS NAME DECLARES HIS POVERTY-Luke 1:26-28.

• The Bible says that the angel came to a young virgin named Mary.
• Mary was engaged to a man named Joseph-Vs. 27, a carpenter by trade-Matt. 13:55.
• Jesus Christ was born into a family of meager means.
• Carpenters did not make much money those days.
• He was born in a “manger” there was no room for them in the inn.
• The “Inn” was the place for poor travelers those who were rich spent in the hotels.
• The name “JESUS” is a name associated with poverty. He left His glory in heaven, He became poor-2^nd 8:9.
• The creator of all things, possessed nothing that wasn’t given to Him by others.
• Even the expensive seamless garment for which the soldiers gambled-John 19:23-24. That garment was given Him by a wealthy follower.
• He borrowed a boat from which He preached-Luke 5:3.
• He borrowed a house in which He lived-Matt. 6:14.
• He borrowed a donkey on which He rode-Mark 11:1-11.
• He borrowed a room in which He celebrated the Passover-Mark 14:13-17.
• He borrowed the cross on which He died-Matt. 27:26.
• He borrowed a tomb in which He was buried-Matt. 27:57-60.
• Through His poverty we were made rich.

HIS NAME DECLARES HIS MINISTRY-Luke 1:31.

• The name “JESUS” means “Jehovah is salvation.”
• Jesus Christ came to seek and save the lost-Matt. 1:21
• Jesus did not come to teach-though He taught like no other man did.
• Jesus did not come to heal-though He healed every sickness.
• Jesus did not come to raise the dead-though He raised the dead.
• Jesus came into the world to die on the cross and give His life a ransom for sinners-Mark 10:45. He came so that we may have life-John 10:10.

HIS NAME DECLARES HIS GLORY-Luke 1:33.

• The angel tells Mary that her son will “Reign.” He reigns in majesty and glory.
• While He lived on earth no one saw His glory-Isa. 53:1-3.
• Some saw a poor Jewish carpenter-Mark 6:3.
• Some saw a revolutionary-one who stirred up the people-Luke 23:5.
• Some saw a healer-Lazarus tomb-John 11:37.
• Some saw in Him an earthly king-The multitudes-John 6:15.
• Some only saw an innocent man-Pilate-John 19:6.
• A few looked at Him and saw the son of God-Martha-John 11:27; Simon Peter-Matt. 16:16.
• A few looked at Him and saw a righteous man-The centurion-Luke 23:47.

But, there is coming a day when all the world will know who He is-Isa. 66:20-33; Phil. 2:9-11.

What a day that will be!!

CONCLUSION

• When we say His name, when we sing His name, when we whisper, shout His name we proclaim the greatest name ever heard.
• What a lovely name is Jesus. When we mention that name hell trembles, satan flees, sin is defeated, captives are delivered, fear gives way to peace, hopelessness is swallowed by victory.
• When the name of JESUS is mentioned drunkards are made sober, harlots are made pure, addicts are delivered from addictions, the lost are saved and new life begins-2^nd 5:17.
• What a lovely name is JESUS CHRIST.