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Matthew 1.18-21

As Joseph struggles with what to do about Mary, his pregnant (but not by him) fiancé, an angel appears to him in a dream (not an everyday occurrence, even in biblical times!). Not only does this heavenly messenger encourage him to continue the marriage process, but he gives Joseph some incredible news about this soon-to-born child, “…and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1.21).

The name “Jesus” (meaning “Yahweh saves” or “Yahweh is salvation”) was a common name in first-century Israel. While the Jewish nation was looking for salvation from Roman tyranny and oppression, they were in no way expecting that the Davidic Messiah would give his life to save them “from their sins.” But that’s the salvation Jesus came to offer, for them and for us. Because sin is the basic (and almost always immediate) cause of our calamities, this salvation is the most important.

To learn more about the great salvation Jesus offers, read the section “Salvation” in Ada Bible’s document, We Believe. It’s on pages 32-37. But understand that it’s not enough to know about the salvation Jesus offers, we must respond. If you’d like to meet with someone to discuss how to do this, contact us at btw@adabible.org.