XLIII. JESUS. 'And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.' Matt. i. 21. THIS title is found only in the New Testament. Singly, one hundred and forty-three times; Jesus Christ, seventy-four times; Lord Jesus, twenty-two times; Lord Jesus Christ, twenty-eight times. Put for Joshua, twice; for Justus, once. The LXX uniformly translate Joshua (Jehoshua) Jesus. The translators were unwise in calling Joshua* by this name, as it rather perplexes the English reader. It is worthy of remark, that the phrase Jesus Christ occurs only four times in the gospels. Matt. i. 1. Mark i. 1. John i. 17. xvii. 3. In the last instance, our Lord uses it in reference to himself, though Campbell remarks that 'this is so singular, that he suspects an accidental omission of the article, and that the clause must have stood originally, Jesus the Messiah, whom thou hast sent.' In some instances, the word Jesus undoubtedly signifies doctrine. The sacred historian, in speaking of the labors of Paul at Athens, says, 'He preached unto them Jesus and the resurrection.'t The original reads τον Ιησού, the Jesus.† *Acts vii. 45. Heb. iv. 8. † Acts xvii. 18. For some excellent remarks on the importance of the definite article, see 'The Four Gospels.' By GEORGE CAMPBELL. Dis. v. part iv. It is generally admitted that the term Jesus signifies to save, or, as one remarks, to deliver, put in a place of safety. Indeed, the motto plainly points out the meaning of the word, and the object for which Jesus came. It is easily settled who are 'his people.' All will admit that the righteous belong to him, and surely sinners must also belong to him, or he could not save them from their sins. That such a work will be accomplished, is evident from the language as well as from the whole character of Jesus. Just before his ascension, he said, 'All power is given unto me, in heaven and in earth.' This dropped from his lips at the very moment when the apostles needed to be strengthened for their great work. They had seen many wonderful exhibitions of his power in healing the sick; in raising the dead; and in stilling the elements. In fine, they saw that no disease was beyond his reach; no sorrow too great for him to console; no sin too heinous for him to forgive. They saw him going on conquering and to conquer, till finally he gained the victory over death itself. For now he stood before them in his resurrection form, and they were assured from his own lips that his power was without limits. That Jesus shall ultimately succeed then, in saving his people from their sins, must be evident to every reflecting mind; otherwise, we have yet to learn why this name was given to him before his birth. We have used this name more than any other in the course of our work, because it seemed most familiar. It was the name which the disciples seemed to love above all others. 'In my name,' said Jesus, 'to the eleven, as they sat at meat;' 'in my name, shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on them, and they shall recover.'* In fine, the disciples soon found the truth of their Master's prediction at the Last Supper: 'Without me, ye can do nothing.' They entered the sick chamber, and pronounced the name of Jesus, and the sick 'took up their bed and walked.' They even stood upon the cold grave, and pronounced that all-powerful name, and the sleeping dead came forth and mingled with their friends. Indeed, they found this name all-sufficient. It was in and through it that they derived all spiritual blessings. It is the sweetest name on earth. 'How sweet the name of Jesus sounds In a believer's ear! It soothes his sorrow, heals his wounds, It makes the wounded spirit whole, And calms the troubled breast; 'Tis manna to the hungry soul, And to the weary rest.' We have somewhere read of a touching incident connected with this name, given by Mrs. Sigourney, in which the undying love of the christian is most beautifully exhibited. A more thrilling sketch we never read, and the impression we received on first hearing it, we think can never be effaced. 'Among those who serve at God's altar, was one who had faithfully discharged, through a long life, the holy duties of his vocation. He lingered after his * Mark xvi. 17, 18. cotemporaries had gone to rest. By the fireside of his only son, he sat in peaceful dignity, and the children of another generation loved his silver locks. In that quiet recess, memory was lulled to sleep. The names of even familiar things, and the images held most indelible, faded as a dream. Still he lived oncheered by that reverence which is due to the "hoary head, when found in the way of righteousness." At length, his vigor failed. The staff could no longer support his tottering steps, and nature tendered her last repose. 'It was attempted, by the repetition of his own name, to awaken the torpor of memory. But he replied, "I know not the man." Mention was made of his only son, the idol of his early years, whose filial gratitude had taken every form and office of affection: "I have no son." The tender epithet by which he had designated his favorite grandchild was repeated: "I have no little darling." Among the group of friends who surrounded his bed, there was one who spoke of the Redeemer of man. The aged man suddenly raised himself upon his pillow. His eye kindled, as when from the pulpit, in the vigor of his days, he had addressed an audience whom he loved: "I remember that Saviour. Yes-I do remember the Lord Jesus Christ." Would to God the same spirit which dwelt in that dying man, might also dwell in all the professed disciples of Christ; and we pray that when we come to die, if we forget all other names, we may not forget the blessed name of Jesus! It is in and through this name that the world will ultimately be brought home to glory. 'God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.'* Efforts have been made to build up systems of religion without this name; but all in vain. As well attempt to rear a building without a foundation; as well look for a stream without a source; as well expect fruit without a tree; or a spring without a sun to warm the earth. Well did the Apostle say, 'For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.'t Here then we must rest all our hopes for salvation: 'For there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.' We see from the records of his life, the grand and beautiful exhibitions of his power while on earth. This same power is still manifesting itself in the moral world. Millions have felt its divine influences. The great work will go forward. Jesus will touch heart after heart, soul after soul, till 'all confess him to be Lord, to the glory of God the Father.' 'His name shall endure forever. His name shall be continued as long as the sun. shall be blessed in him. All nations shall call him blessed.' 'Blessed be his glorious name forever, and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.' Men * Phil. ii. 9, 10, 11. † 1 Cor. iii. 11. + Acts iv. 12. |