“She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
Joseph now learns that Mary is carrying a son. He is to be name “Jesus”. This is a shortened form of the Hebrew name, “Joshua.” It literally meant “Yahweh helps.”
As often with names, it also had a popular meaning drawn from a Hebrew root which meant “salvation.” It is this popular meaning that Matthew uses here – “he will save his people from their sins.”
From the very beginning and until the day he died, it was clear that Jesus came for sinners. This had particular meaning for the apostle Matthew whose name, some years later, was attached to this Gospel.
Jesus saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” (Mt 9:9-11
Jesus never backed away from the charge of eating and drinking with sinners. He responded, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.” It was true then, and it’s true now.
I never have to waffle when talking to the Lord about my problems. He was born for this.
