new church life: november/december 2014
When we hear the
name 'Jesus' we can
think of Him as Divine
good – that Divine
impetus to approach
us, to communicate
with us, and to lead us
to genuine and lasting
happiness. This is how
He appears in the New
Testament. It was how
He wants us to know Him.
cared for them.
When selfishness engulfed these
people a new image was revealed, an
image to lead the people back into
states of happiness – states of good. It
also was a human image, but with many
features. People even created statues
to reflect His various qualities. Many
names were then given to describe His
attributes. When these names were
mentioned, it enabled the ancients to
think about a particular aspect of the
Divine.
Unfortunately, this church also
fell prey to feelings of selfishness,
and blinded themselves to the reality
behind the various names and images.
They began to think that each image
and name was a separate Divine.
Polytheism was born.
To restore the Church, as far as possible, until a more concrete and
permanent image could be given, the Divine revealed Himself to Abraham
as Jehovah. Jehovah became the cornerstone of the Israelitish religion. Their
thoughts were directed to Him alone. He would appear to them through an
angel, in fire, and many other ways to impress upon them His power. Indeed,
the name “Jehovah” in Hebrew means “self-existing” or “eternal.” Although
these people kept falling away from this image, even forgetting the name
“Jehovah,” it was a sufficient image to prepare them for a new revelation with
the Divine descent on earth.
And so the Divine came down, taking on a human through conception
and birth by means of Mary. The name He took on, even from before
conception, was “Jesus.” An angel appeared to Mary telling her that she would
give birth and His name would be Jesus. Joseph also had an angel appear to
him, telling him to name the babe Jesus. Then, when eight days were passed for
the circumcision, His name was proclaimed to the registrar as Jesus.
Why that name, “Jesus”? There appeared to be nothing special about it.
Many others were naming their sons Jesus, because the name “Jesus” is the
Greek spelling of the Hebrew name Joshua and evoked memories of the one
who had led the sons of Israel into the Promised Land. But the Divine choice
of the name stemmed from deeper causes. Jesus means “savior.”
The angel told Joseph that “He shall save His people from their sins,”
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