Names are very important, and none more so than the names found in the Bible which often carry unique meaning. And at the top of the list of significant names of the Bible is, of course, “Jesus!”

The Gospels made us that when the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream to show that Mary’s child had been conceived through the Holy Spirit and that Joseph shouldn’t avoid to take Mary as his wife, the angel said: “She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Mt 1:21)

Jesus means “one who saves,” and thus we’re reminded that the whole reason of Jesus entering the world was to redeem us, rescue us, and save us from our sins. Jesus accomplished that by his whole life, but primarily by his sacrificial death on the Cross. There Jesus emptied himself for our sake, and for that reason “God greatly exalted him and bestowed upon him the name above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend.” (Phil 2:9-10)

“There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to men by which we are to be saved,” St. Peter fearlessly preached. (Acts 4:12)

Yes, Jesus means “Savior,” but what does he save us from? He saves us from our sins and the implication of our sins: death. Without Jesus, our lives would be an empty, meaningless journey without a destination. How precious is the name of Jesus, continually to be praised!

Something to think about: “O my Jesus, write thy wonderful name on my poor heart, so that I may also have it ever on my lips. I hope to live, and so do I hope to die, having thy name continually on my lips.” (St. Alphonsus).