I hope you have because it makes no sense.
Let's read it now...
" And she shall bear a son, and you shall call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. "
Here's what I mean when I say "Huh?"
The word 'for' begins an explanation why Joseph and Mary were to call Him "Jesus." It is tied to the fact He will save His people from their sins.
Yet, here's the problem. It's one everyone overlooks.
The word "Jesus" has no meaning.
No meaning in Greek. No meaning in Latin.
It's not even a Hebrew name.
Our Savior was Hebrew. The word "Jesus" should be a like a red flag alerting us to a problem.
Why?
Because all Hebrew names have meaning. But, Jesus has no meaning in Hebrew.
The word "Jesus" is a poor attempt at a Greek transliteration of a Hebrew name which is then further warped by forcing it into an English mold with the illegitimate letter "J".
Granted, today, "Jesus" does have a meaning in English. But that is simply because after 400 years of incorrect use, it now has a meaning applied to it.
Think about this. Don't you find it strange that we open our Scriptures to read about...
- a baby of Torah observant Jewish parents,
- Who was born in Israel,
- Who lived and died as a Jew,
- Who spoke Hebrew,
- Who became the Jewish Saviour,
- and was labeled at His death as the King of the Jews,
But, we - an English reading audience- now call Him by
- the Greek/Latin hybrid, "Jesus"
- which has no meaning in any language
- along with the Greek title "Christ"
- which could mean any one of the many Greek false deities?
On a side note, if you do even a little research and you'll find many modern scholars maintain that the name “Jesus” is the same in the Hebrew as the Old Testament “Joshua,” the son of Nun. Should not these names appear the same throughout our English Bible? If its Joshua in the Old Testament, why is it Jesus in the New?
Nonetheless, can we know what His real Hebrew name is?
Yes.
Here are our clues...
1) The Saviour said He came in His Father's name (John 5:43). The word 'name' can be either literal or figurative. The Father's name is Yahweh, sometimes shortened to Yah. ( As in Hallelu-Yah).
2) Matthew 1:21 connects His name with His function of salvation.
"Yeshua" is the Hebrew word which means "salvation, deliverance".
However, if you only use "Yeshua" then the Father's Name is not in the Saviour's Name. You are simply calling Him "Salvation."
"Yahshua" means "Yah's Salvation or Yah's Deliverance", which is exactly what the Messiah is. By using Yahshua, you use the Father's Name in the Saviour's Name. (In practice, it is difficult to distinguish the pronunciation of Yeshua from Yahshua).
"Yahshua" is a combination of a description of Who He is, as well as what He came to do.
Now, if we read Matthew 1:21 with the correct name, you can see how it all fits together.
" And she shall bear a son, and you shall call His name Yahshua (Yah's Salvation or Yah's Deliverance): for He shall save His people from their sins. "
Isn't that better?
Hmm...how does all this reflect on our understanding of verses like Acts 4:12.
"And there is salvation in no other One; for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Personally, I don't believe you can make a legitimate argument that you must be saved pronouncing the name Yahshua. The term here for 'name' can be 'authority'. Most everyone reading this was saved under the name "Jesus." We were saved under the authority of the one and only Saviour, the son of G-d (Yahweh).
However, a good case can be made that the name of "Jesus" robs the true Saviour of the Glory that is His. Plus, it steals from us - His children - the understanding that even Yahshua's name embodies the Father's Name and purpose to save us from our sins.
So, the choice is ours.
To put it in perspective, remember "Jesus" is a man made word. Yahshua is a Holy Spirit inspired Name.
Do we show the Saviour respect and honor by using the correct name? Do we honor the Father by using the Name He gave to His Son?
Or, do we follow Frank Sinatra?
In case you're too young to remember, one of his signature hit songs was
"I did it my way..."
