Hope: The Son of Mary Will Be Named Jesus (Yahweh Saves)

Few events in life seem to spark hope in people, like the announcement that a family will be bringing a child into the world. The parents make the announcement to friends and family, and all share in the joy. At some point, there might even be a gender reveal. Aside from the mere joy a child brings to the family, there is the prospect of what the child may grow up to be and what impact the child might have on their world or the world at large. The imagination can run wild looking into the eyes of a newborn.

Nothing could have been further from the truth when Joseph learned that his betrothed wife, Mary, was pregnant. His first thought was simply, "This child is not mine." This did not bring hope to him at all. Certainly, he would not be looking forward to any gender reveal. Joseph was a righteous Jew. Since he was not the father of the child that Mary was carrying, he sought to do what was his right under Jewish law and divorce Mary. Such an official action was necessary to separate from her during the betrothal period even though they were not actually married. Yet he would do it quietly so as not to bring any public disgrace or shame on her.

That was his plan, anyway, until he received more information about the origin of the child Mary was carrying and the child's destiny and purpose. Before following through on his plan, Joseph went to bed. During the night, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, seeking to alleviate any fears and concerns Joseph should have in taking Mary as his wife. Joseph's concerns that Mary had been unfaithful to him during the betrothal period were unfounded. The child she was carrying was miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit, not by another man.

Further, the angel revealed the gender of the child to Joseph—Mary was going to give birth to a son. Then, the angel instructed him to give the son a name that would encapsulate his identity and purpose. His name would be Jesus, for he would save his people from their sins. Jesus, from the Hebrew Joshua, means Yahweh saves.

Matthew, the author of the gospel, provides the reader with further commentary on the significance of this. This event, the conception and birth of Jesus, was the fulfillment of a prophecy given seven hundred years prior by the prophet Isaiah, "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (Matthew 1:23, see Isaiah 7:14). Along with this one, many prophecies of the coming Messiah were given throughout Israel's history. There were times of disappointment when, prior to this time, some false messiahs came or Israel wrongly attributed messiah status to individuals. 

There was great hope for the coming of Messiah. But nothing had come to fruition. Now, after many centuries, the official word from the angel of the Lord indicated the time had fully come for God to send His Son.

Hundreds of years had passed. There was great hope for the coming of Messiah. But nothing had come to fruition. Now, after many centuries, the official word from the angel of the Lord indicated the time had fully come for God to send His Son (Gal. 4:4). The angel Gabriel had already appeared and spoken to Mary (Luke 1:20-38). God was working to fulfill his long-waited promise.

Initially, upon hearing about Mary's pregnancy, Joseph had only considered the negative impact and controversy the birth of this child would have on his immediate situation. However, now being fully informed of all that the birth of this child, Jesus, meant, the hope that he would fulfill for his Jewish people and for all the world, Joseph awoke from his dream and decided to follow through with his original plans to complete the betrothal period and make Mary his wife.

Jesus inspired hope in Joseph, and he would bring hope to the world.

Dr. Joe Matos serves as the Professor of Biblical Studies at Dallas Baptist University.