A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

HE GAVE HIM THE NAME JESUS      

Matthew 1:24-25 “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave Him the name Jesus.”   

There are many heroes of the faith found throughout the pages of Holy Scripture. Joseph was one of those heroes. Perhaps you never thought of Jospeh as a hero because there is no record of him leading the army of Israel like David, serving as King over God’s people with the wisdom God gave him, or Elijah confronting the prophets of Baal. You might say it didn’t take a lot of courage for Jospeh to obey God’s directive through the angel Gabriel to take Mary to be his wife. What he did perhaps does not make the 100 greatest achievements in the history of God’s people. He did, however demonstrate the noble quality of an unshakeable faith in obeying God, taking Mary as his wife, traveling with Mary to Bethlehem and providing for her and baby Jesus under fairly trying circumstances. 

Joseph further demonstrated his noble character by giving, as he was instructed, the newborn boy laying in the manger the name Jesus. He did this as opposed to following the Jewish tradition of naming the first-born male child with his own name. In doing so, he gave testimony to the faith God had given him that Jesus was the Son of God come into the world to save sinners from everlasting death. He believed the angel’s message, “. . . you shall name Him Jesus because He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) 

The Holy Spirit, through the pen of St. Paul, says to you today, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10) Confessing Jesus is your Lord and Savior and believing in your heart God raised Him from the dead does not make you a hero. It does mean that God declares you saved! 

Prayer: Grant unto me, O Lord, keep me in the simple faith You gave me at my Baptism even unto everlasting life. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

At the name of Jesus Ev’ry knee shall bow  Ev’ry tongue confess Him King of glory now.  “Tis the Father’s pleasure We should call Him Lord,  Who from the beginning Was the mighty Word. 

At His voice creation Sprang at one to sight,  
All the angel faces, All the hosts of light,  
Thrones and bright dominions, Stars upon their way,  
All the heav’nly orders In their great array. 

Humbled for a season, To receive a name   
From the lips of sinners Unto whom He came,  
Faithfully He bore it Spotless to the last.  
Brought it back victorious When from death He passed; 

Bore it up triumphant With its human light,  
Through all ranks of creatures To the central height,  
To the throne of Godhead, To the Father’s breast,  
Filled it with the glory Of that perfect rest. 

In your hearts enthrone Him; There let Him subdue  
All that is not holy, All that is not true:  
Crown Him as your captain In temptation’s hour;  
Let His will enfold you In its light and pow’r. 

Christians, this Lord Jesus Shall return again  
In His Father’s glory, With His angel train;  
For all wreaths of empire Meet upon His brown,  
And our hearts confess Him King of glory now. 

Glory then to Jesus, Who, the Prince of light,  
To a world in darkness Brought the gift of sight;  
Praise to God the Father; In the Spirit’s love  
Praise we all together Him who reigns above.  (LSB 512)