June 28th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

WHO JESUS IS – PART 2

Matthew 1:1 “This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah . . .” (NIV) “. . . Jesus Christ” (ESV) 

Matthew 1:1 gives Jesus a title. The New International translation of the bible gives Him the full title “Jesus the Messiah.” The English Standard Version (translation) gives Him the full title “Jesus Christ.” Why do the translators give Jesus two different titles? 

Messiah is a term that comes from the Hebrew language. It means “the anointed one” or “the chosen one.” In Christianity, Messiah refers to Jesus, sent by God to save people from evil and sin and deliver them into His holy kingdom. Christ actually is the New Testament equivalent of the Old Testament title Messiah. 

“Jesus Christ” combines His name (Jesus) with His title (Christ.) The title Christ means the anointed One, the one set apart by God, the one Chosen by God to be the Savior of the world. Jesus is His human name which was announced to Mary by the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:31.) Joining His human name Jesus with His title Christ then says that He is true man chosen by God, set apart by God to save the world from its sins. This is exactly why the angel Gabriel told Joseph to give the child conceived in her womb the name Jesus. Matthew 1:20-21 records the angel’s message to Joseph: “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” 

The human name “Jesus” combined with the title “Christ” as found here in Matthew 1:1 tells you that Jesus is the one God chose to send into the world as its Savior. (Matthew 1:21) He, the one promised throughout the Old Testament came in fulfillment of that promise to carry out God’s plan of Salvation. The name Jesus Christ is God’s message to you Jesus is your Savior, set apart by God, chosen by Him to, as Jesus said, become “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6) for you. There is Salvation in no other name. (Acts 4:12) 

Prayer: Holy Spirit, every time I hear the name Jesus Christ, grant that it assures me that He is the Savior God promised to send to save me from my sins and become the way for me to receive His gift of everlasting life. Amen. 

“From heav’n above to earth I come
To bear good news to ev’ry home;
Glad tidings of great joy I bring,
Whereof I now will say and sing; 

“To you this night is born a child
Of Mary, chosen virgin mild;
This little child of lowly birth
Shall be the joy of all the earth. 

“This is the Christ, our God Most High,
Who hears your sad and bitter cry;
He will Himself your Savior be
From all your sins to set you free.” 

“He will on you the gifts bestow
Prepared by God for all below,
|That in His kingdom, bright and fair,
ou may with us His glory share.

Ash, dearest Jesus, holy Child,
Prepare a bed, soft, undefiled,
A quiet chamber set apart
For You to dwell within my heart. 

Glory to God in highest heav’n,
Who unto us His Son has giv’n!
While angels sing with pious mirt
 A glad new year to all the earth.  (LSB 358, vv1-4,13,15)