February 2

PART III.

THE NAME, JESUS.

Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.— Matt, i. 21.

THE name Jesus was given to the Redeemer, because he should save his people from their sins. To save, is to rescue, or deliver. Now he came to rescue a perishing world, to deliver a guilty, rebellious race. He came to deliver, or save "from sin," because it was sin that had ruined us, and any salvation short of this, would have been inefficient to men's happiness and safety. He came to save "his people," the Jews, of whom, as concerning the flesh he came, and to whom he first revealed and offered mercy. Or it may mean those who believe upon him, whether Jew or Gentile, as it is only such who become the Sons of God, and truly enjoy the blessings of Christ's salvation. (John 1:12.) He came to save his people from "their" sins. Sin is a personal matter, it is a disease within our own hearts, it is a plague spot, with which every human being is defiled. Salvation must therefore be personal. It must not suffice to say Christ is here, or there, the kingdom of God must be within us. Christ "came" to save us. Prophets had been sent, and one generation of Priests had succeeded another; but none came to save, but Jesus. None else had the qualifications, the merit, the power, necessary for this great work. And Christ does save his people from their sins. He saves from the guilt of sin by his forgiving love and purifying grace; he saves from the pollution of sin, by his cleansing and sanctifying blood; he saves from the power of sin, by the converting and regenerating influences of his Spirit; he saves also from the love of sin; from the vassalage of sin; and from its dreadful consequences in the world to come. Christ's salvation is free, full, complete, and everlasting. Dear reader, art thou acquainted with Jesus; has he said to thy soul, "I am thy salvation"? How all-important that we feel the sentiment expressed by the Poet;

"Stung by the scorpion sin,

My poor expiring soul

The balmy sound drinks in,

And is at once made whole;

See there my Lord upon the tree!

I hear, I feel, he died for me."