Sometimes a lot is said in just a few words. Think of Neil Armstrong’s immortal words as he took his first steps on the moon in 1969: ‘That’s one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind.’ We also find a lot said in just a few words in a Bible passage about the birth of Jesus Christ. In Luke 1, the Virgin Mary is told by an angel about the Son she is going to have: ‘You shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.’
When did you last hold a newborn baby in your arms? Did you wonder what would become of it as you looked into its eyes? What would be in store for him or her as they grew up in the years to come?
Of course, we have no idea what the future holds for individual babies – but not so with Jesus. He had a destiny that was made clear while he was still in the womb of his mother Mary: He will be great; he will be the Son of the Most High.
What does ‘Jesus’ mean?
Mary was instructed to call his name ‘Jesus’. He must be called by this name! There was no need for Mary and Joseph to debate and agonise over settling on the right name for the boy. No – because God named this baby. The angel simply informed Mary of what her Son was to be called.
