YESHUA

 

YESHUA

Jesus the Savior

The Name "Yeshua"

In Luke’s Gospel, the infant Christ is named Jesus during his circumcision, a name communicated by the angel Gabriel to Mary (Luke 1:31; 2:21). "Jesus" was a common name in first-century Palestine, found on various grave markers and tombs around Jerusalem. To distinguish him from others, the Gospels sometimes refer to him as Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus the son of Joseph, or Jesus the Nazarene. Later, particularly in the Acts and New Testament letters, he is called “Jesus Christ,” almost as if “Christ” were his surname.

By the second century, the name "Jesus" became so closely associated with Jesus of Nazareth that it was rarely given to anyone else, whether Christians or Jews. The name Jesus (in English) or Iesous (in Greek) corresponds to the Hebrew name Yeshua, which is a shortened form of Yehoshua, translated as Joshua in English Bibles. Joshua is the earliest name that includes Yahweh, God’s covenant name, which was so sacred it was considered too holy to pronounce. Both Jesus and Joshua mean “Yahweh Is Help” or “Yahweh Is Salvation.” Therefore, we can affirm that Jesus is Yahweh come to earth.

Throughout history, the church has upheld the belief that “salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 NIV).

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Praying to Yeshua

In a synagogue in Capernaum, a man wrestled with the piercing words of a young rabbi: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Overwhelmed, he stood up and shouted: “What do you want with us, Yeshua from Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are— the Holy One of God!”

Instead of retreating, Yeshua stood firm. “Keep quiet,” he commanded, “Come out of him!” The man felt a violent force tearing him apart. After a loud shriek, silence fell; the demon had fled. That evening, now free, he joined the crowd around Yeshua, who was healing many and driving out demons.

The joy of freedom surged within him. Previously captive to a power he could not escape, he realized that Yeshua had set him free. This account serves to remind us that Christ came to earth for one purpose: to save humanity from the grip of sin and Satan, allowing us to live for God.

It’s vital that we do not become numb to the reality of what Yeshua has done. Without him, we would ultimately succumb to darkness, becoming trapped like that man in the synagogue. Thankfully, our Savior has come. Yeshua is God, all-powerful; the Lord who reaches toward us, who died, rose again, and extends his hand to save us.

Jesus, name above all names, beautiful Savior, glorious Lord!

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Promises Associated with the Name

“Peter answered them, ‘All of you must turn to God and change the way you think and act, and each of you must be baptized in the name of Yeshua Christ so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift. This promise belongs to you and to your children and to everyone who is far away. It belongs to everyone who worships the Lord our God.’” (Acts 2:38-39)

“These miracles have been written so that you will believe that Yeshua is the Messiah, the Son of God, and so that you will have life by believing in him.” (John 20:31)

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Reflection

Understanding Yeshua as our Savior invites us to reflect on the depths of his love and the transformative power of his salvation. He is not just a historical figure but the living embodiment of God’s desire to rescue and redeem us from sin and despair, enabling us to live in the light of his grace.