Names of Christ: An Advent DevotionSample

Savior

What comes to mind when you hear the word Savior or salvation? For Joseph and Mary, hearing this word Savior brought thoughts of a rich heritage and connection to the Old Testament prophecies about Jesus the Messiah.

In Matthew 1:20-21, the angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream. The angel tells him not to be afraid to take Mary as his 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.

Jesus’ destiny, His calling for you and me, is revealed to Joseph and Mary at that time. In their Hebrew (Jewish) mindset, they would have remembered the prophecies spoken long ago. For example, when you return to the Psalms and hear, “God is my salvation.”

Like in Psalm 27:

The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?

Or Psalm 91—well known about protection—and at the end, God says,

Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; … With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation (ESV).

In Hebrew, the word Salvation is the same name as Yeshua. Salvation is the very name of Jesus!

As believers, we trust in Jesus and know that He has saved us from our sins, the penalty of sin is canceled, we’re no longer under a curse, we have been brought into the family of God, and we are His children. But salvation is not just the consequence or the effects of what Jesus did for us on the cross.

Remember the words of Jesus in John 17:3:

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

Jesus is salvation. God is my salvation. That is what Jesus's name means in Hebrew.

Wherever you are, whatever your struggle, whether you’re going through a dark valley or at the mountaintop and everything seems fine, remember that salvation is the person of Jesus. He is Salvation Incarnate, the presence and the person of Jesus doing what only He can in your circumstances. So, trust Him. He is faithful. He is kind. He is good. And He will see you through—because He is the Lord, your salvation.

Devotion Roberto Torres, Club 700 Hoy