When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a Son. And he called His Name Jesus. (Matthew 1:24-25)
It interests me that God communicates with Joseph purely through dreams. It’s maybe not surprising, though, since Joseph is named after the man in Genesis 37-50 who had dreams from God—and God used him to rescue the whole family of Israel from famine.
God used the Old Testament Joseph to rescue a whole country—and foreigners, too!—since he was in charge of all the grain of Egypt. By contrast, Joseph in the New Testament is caring for a single mother and her baby, which might not seem like much. But this baby is Jesus, who is the Bread of Life—and through His life, death, and resurrection, He will save the entire world.
As He tells us, “I am the living Bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever” (John 6:51a). No one who trusts in Jesus will ever be destroyed.
WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, Your Name means “God is salvation,” and that’s what You are to me. Thank You. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
What does your name mean? Are you named after anyone?
Why is Jesus’ Name appropriate for Him?
How do we “eat” the Bread of Life that Jesus gives us?
