Page 20 - August 2026 - Truth & Tidings

t had been a week since that glorious would make the connection between
night. The shepherds were back at salvation and this Boy placed in his
Itheir work and Joseph would soon arms (v30). It was Joseph who was told
need to be back at his. But being so close to what sort of salvation their Son would
the big city of Jerusalem, the young couple bring: “He shall save his people from
decided to stay a little longer to avoid a their sins” (Mat 1:21). Sin is our greatest
second trip just weeks later, for they were enemy for it places us under the judg-
determined to fulfill the Law of Moses in ment of God and robs us from the kind
relation to their Son. of life God wants us to live. But God sent
His Son, giving Him a Name which tells
Keeping the Law us what He came to do. What a glori-
The first matter involved circumci- ous Name, the sweetest Name on earth!
sion and naming. “And when eight days There is a Name I love to hear,
were accomplished for the circumcising I love to speak its worth;
of the child, his name was called JESUS, It sounds like music in mine ear,
which was so named of the angel before
he was conceived in the womb” (Luk The sweetest Name on earth.
2:21). Joseph proceeded to give their It tells me of a Saviour’s love
1
Child the mark of the covenant, thus ful- Who died to set me free;
filling Leviticus 12:3: “And in the eighth
day the flesh of his foreskin shall be It tells me of His precious blood,
circumcised.” Christ would fully identify The sinner’s perfect plea.
with God’s covenant people, Israel (Heb Jesus! The Name I love so well,
2:17). Both Joseph and Mary had been
told separately by an angel to name Him The Name I love to hear;
Jesus (Mat 1:21; Luk 1:31). Surely they No saint on earth its worth can tell,
2
had disclosed these revelations to one No heart conceive how dear.
another, and now they followed through. But there was still more for Joseph and
The name Jesus means “Jehovah [or Mary to do in relation to the Law. “And
Yahweh] is salvation.” Very soon, Simeon when the time came for their purifica-
tion according to the Law of Moses, they
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV
unless otherwise noted. 2 Frederick Whitfield (1829–1904)

244 TRUTH kTidings August 2026