What is the Baby’s Name?
December 24 2006 The Lookout
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s a child, your name is the first word you learn to write. As an adult, you put your name on checks, contracts, and credit cards. You don’t appreciate it if someone misspells or mispronounces your name. It has always been the parents’ privilege to name their child—but not for Joseph. Mary was pregnant, but neither he nor any other man was the biological father, for his expectant fiancée was still a virgin. Bewildered and pondering the possibility of divorce, Joseph received a
He’s Immanuel, God with us—the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. He’s the suffering servant of Isaiah 53, “pierced for our transgressions” and “crushed for our iniquities.” He’s the King foretold by Jeremiah who would bring a new covenant and write God’s law on our hearts. He’s the Rock seen by Daniel, whose kingdom would be like a mighty mountain that fills the whole earth. He’s the fulfillment of the Old Testament, and the main theme of the New. When he taught, his students were amazed. When he touched the sick, his patients were healed. His accusers couldn’t find a flaw in him. The governor couldn’t find a fault in him. His disciples didn’t always understand him, but they had no logical alternative except to believe in him. His miracles were indisputable, his character unshakeable, his words unforgettable, his love unquenchable. His suffering was unimaginable, his resurrection undeniable—to reject him, unthinkable! He fulfilled the tiniest letter of the Law of God. He dotted every “i” and crossed every “T,” saying “It is finished” as he completed the Father’s plan. In the grand scheme of eternity, the baby born in Bethlehem would be exalted to the highest place and given “the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:9). Did Joseph understand all this? Certainly not—but he obeyed what he did understand. “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus” (Matthew 1:24, 25). There’s a lot we don’t understand about God and his plan, but this Christmas and always, let’s obey what we do know. And let’s never forget the baby’s name.
There’s more to the Christmas story than we can comprehend.
firm directive from God: “Take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:20). Surely Joseph’s mind began to race when he thought about what it would mean to parent this child. He would provide for the boy, teach him to read and write, work beside him in the carpenter shop, play with him in the hills of Galilee, tuck him into bed at night, and pray by his bedside. Since he would have to shoulder the responsibilities of fatherhood, it would only be natural if Joseph longed for the privilege of naming the child as well. “Joseph, Jr.—that sounds good. Or maybe we could name him Jacob, after his grandfather.” But the Lord had other ideas. “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” (Matthew 1:21). This baby’s birth meant more than Joseph could possibly comprehend. Everything the Law and the Prophets foretold about the Messiah, Jesus came to fulfill. He’s the Lamb of God foreshadowed by the Jewish Passover—the perfect sacrifice for sin. He’s Heaven’s spokesman who’s greater than Moses. He didn’t just give the 10 commandments; he lived them. He’s the perfect High Priest who’s greater than Aaron, the leader of God’s army who’s greater than Joshua, the Good Shepherd David wrote about in the Psalms, the King who’s wiser than Solomon.
DAVID FAUST
Dr. David Faust is the President of Cincinnati Christian University, and, also, writes for The Lookout published by Standard Publishing. www.CCUniversity.edu/about/president.htm