The Two Names - Part 1

There was something about the baby that made them bow in worship. The professional stargazers (otherwise known as magi), who finally found the baby after a long and arduous journey, must have seen something in the eyes of the baby – a window to that which is eternal.

The baby looked like any other child, but His eyes must have revealed something mysterious. The stargazers must have seen something of that mystery and eternity they tried to find whenever they looked up at the vast night sky. There was something different about this baby – and it made them bow down and worship (Matthew 2:11).

The shepherds who saw the baby were gripped by a similar sense of awe (Luke 2:8-20). They were not stargazers, but sheep-watchers. Their lives were more mundane, having to take care of the sheep entrusted to their care – feeding them and guarding them. But their ordinary lives were disrupted by the astounding scene of a messenger from heaven who brought good news of the birth of the Saviour. The

angel was joined by others who sang for the simple shepherds the most beautiful of songs. It was mind-boggling and spirit-stirring.

When the shepherds finally saw the baby, they must have seen in His eyes something out of this world. They perhaps instinctively knew from the baby’s eyes that God, the Shepherd of Israel, was watching over His people. Thrilled by what they witnessed, they became the channels of the rapid spread of the good news. Their hearts became new sanctuaries full of praise and worship.

Mary must have gazed at the eyes of her newborn child. The angel Gabriel had appeared to her, proclaiming that her child would be called the Son of God (Luke 1:35). She knew that she had carried in her womb and given birth to divinity. It was very difficult to understand, but the appearance of angels, the response of those who visited the baby, and other evidence told her that it was true – the impossible had happened (Luke 1:37).

The baby confirmed all that she saw – for she saw in His eyes the majesty, holiness and love of God. It was such a momentous experience that she was unusually quiet with deep reflection, cherishing what she saw in her believing heart (Luke 2:19).

Before Jesus was born, He was given two proper names: “Jesus” and “Immanuel” (Matthew 1:21-23). Both had profound meaning and said something of the identity of the baby. The name Jesus (‘Yeshua’ in Hebrew) was a common name among the Jews, but it was not the uniqueness of the name (or the lack of it) but the uniqueness of the God who assumed that name that was astounding. Yeshua (meaning ‘The Lord saves’) became the name of the Son who would “save his

people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

As the life of this heavenly child unfolded for the next 30 years or so, it became clear how this was to be achieved. He was no less than the Lamb of God “who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Millions of people through history have found this Saviour, and tens of thousands of songs have been written about His wonderful salvation.

Consider this:

Read Revelation 1:14, Luke 22:61, Matthew 9:22 and Mark 10:52. What do you think people saw in the eyes of Jesus? What do you think you will see in His eyes?

Excerpted from Apprenticed to Jesus by Robert Solomon. © 2023 by Robert Solomon. Used with permission. All rights reserved.