God's Plan for Saving Man
Do you know the meaning of your name? My African name is “Tsepo,” which in the Setswana language means “hope.” As a result, my life calling is to bring “hope” and spiritual encouragement to others.
What does the name “Jesus” mean? The Greek name “Jesus” is a translation of the Hebrew name “Joshua,” which means “the Lord is salvation” and “the Lord saves.” The angel of the Lord said that Jesus would save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). God had a plan for saving the world through Jesus.
When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29). What does the name “Lamb of God” mean? Using the symbolism of a lamb was important to any Jewish person. The Passover started in Egypt during Moses’ time while the Hebrew nation was captive to the Egyptians. God told Moses to order Israelite families to sacrifice a lamb and smear the blood on the door of their houses. In this way, the angel would know to “pass over” the houses of the Israelites. The Passover Feast is celebrated yearly to remember God’s salvation given to all who had the lamb’s blood sprinkled on their doorpost. Similarly, the blood of Jesus is the perfect sacrificial Lamb of God who took the penalty for all our sins so that we might be saved. We remember the Lamb of God during the Holy Communion ordinance when we partake of the elements and remember the shedding of His blood at Calvary (1 Cor. 11:23-27).
As we can see, when we study the names of Jesus and the Lamb of God, we learn about God’s saving purpose for all mankind. His plan for saving man is part of a new Kingdom that Jesus preached about. His salvation is not only set in the far future, but it begins in the here and now. We are called to walk by faith and live out His salvation day by day (2 Cor. 5:7). We serve as ambassadors of His Kingdom as we represent our Savior, King Jesus, the Lamb of God, to the world around us (2 Cor. 5:20).
Reflection Questions:
What do the names of “Jesus” and “Lamb of God” and God’s plan for saving man mean to you in your:
- personal life?
- relationships?
- community?
- nation?