YHWH Saves
Matthew 1:21
“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.”
“What is in a name? Would a rose by any other name smell as sweet?”
Shakespeare gives us this quote in the quandaries of Juliet as she thinks upon the ramifications of falling in love with a member of her family’s (the Capulets) rival house, The Montagues. She wonders if any real change occurs in the nature of a thing simply by it having another name. In essence, does a name change or distort the essence of the thing itself. Will it not retain all its substantive qualities? Won’t 5 grams of iron have the same mass and iron like qualities even if we changed its name to Fe?
But of course names are not simply present to give some sort of alternating or defining characteristics… unless of course they are. In the hebrew culture, people would give names to things, not just for the sake of having proper nouns for objects, but gave names as a way to describe the thing itself. In the story of Jacob turned Israel, we have a deceptive person named Jacob (‘Yacuv’ in hebrew means to grasp the heal, an idiom to mean “deception.”) have his name changed to Israel (one who wrestles with God). His identity and substantive character changed by this encounter with God. In another story, when the people of ancient Israel are given a choice to trust God or turn back, the prophet Samuel has them erect a stone monument as a testimony to God’s faithfulness. They call this stone Ebenezer which means “stone of help.” From these instances, we can see how names within the culture of ancient Israel were meant to be defining characteristics, and not just proper nouns that sounded nice.
So when the angel tells the holy family what the name of God’s Son will be, it is not by chance but is a calculated defining name: Jesus, Yeh-shua. ‘Yeh’ is the abbreviated term for YHWH, the proper name of God. And ‘Shua’ is the hebrew word for ‘salvation’ or ‘to save.’
The God of all the universe came to live among us, coming as an infant, with a one track mind- to save us from our sins. There is a song written by Benedictine Nuns called Little Hands Divine. One of the key verses says this,
Through the years I can see these Hands nailed for me,
That same love soon will lead Him to Calvary.
In tears I tremble looking at those nails
That will pierce these little Hands Divine.
May we make the time necessary during this advent season to remember the Name above all names… the Name that shows us the heart of God: YHWH, our God, saves us.
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The time for waiting is over! The unabridged Advent Devotional is here!!!
Feel free to share this with anyone.
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Announcements:
Children’s Musical “The First Christmas” this SUNDAY!!!
Children’s musical practice this Saturday from 10-12ish
FREE PIZZA will be provided for the children!
Christmas Even Service will be at 6pm
Invite any youth to attend the 9:45 Youth Group on Sunday Mornings. Daniel and Emily Mendez are leading this.
We are working on creating an Advent Devotional Book written by our church for our church (as well as anyone else that would like to read it). If you are interested in writing a 1-2 page devotional for this advent season, please contact Pastor Steven. We would love to have as many people involved in this as possible.
Coming Soon! Children’ s Christmas Musical! More information will be provided as we get closer to the Christmas season.
Adult Sunday School Classes - 9:45
Youth/Children’s Sunday School Classes -9:45 (Up stairs)
Mitchell and Sarah Davidson are hosting a weekly Bible Study at their house on Thursdays (6-8)
Their address and number are listed below
Trail Life 2-3pm each Sunday
Ask Pastor Steven or Damon Hargraves for more information
Church Weekly Schedule
Sunday worship at 11am
Sunday School at 9:45am
I am teaching through the Gospel According to Matthew
Youth/Children’s Group! Daniel and Emily Mendez are heading up the Youth Group Bible Study at 9:45
Wednesday Prayer Posse 12pm
Thursday Bible Study with Mitchell and Sarah 6-8pm
Mitchell’s cell number: 907-942-0381
address: 1815 E Rezanof Dr.
Trail Life each Sunday from 2-3pm
Pastor Steven’s Office Hours 8-4 Mon-Thursday
I have an open sign (if it is on, I am here)
If I am not in the office at these times, I am meeting with someone
Call or text me 972-921-2516
Email steven@kodiakcbc.org
