Day by Day with Martin Luther

Read: Genesis 1:1 – 7:24 Matthew 1:1 – 4:11 Proverbs 1:1-19

“ And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.”
[Luke 2:21]

His name is rightly called on this day “Jesus”, which, translated, means “Savior”, for he is the One who helps, redeems, saves, and cures all. The Hebrew language calls this One “Jesus”. So the angel Gabriel spoke to Joseph in sleep: “she will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for he will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Here the angel explains why He is called Savior, “Jesus”, namely, because He is help and salvation to His people … what then, is our name? Doubtless as Christ gives us all that is His, so He also gives to us His name. Therefore, all of us are called Christians from Him, God’s children from Him, Savior from Him, and whatever His name, that also is ours. As St. Paul writes: “in this hope you were saved” (Romans 8:24), for you are “Jesus” the “Savior”. See, there is therefore no limit to the dignity and honor of a Christian. These are the superabundant riches of His blessings, which He pours out on us, so that our hearts may be free, joyous, peaceful, and fearless. Then we keep the Law willingly and cheerfully throughout this Newest of years.