The Ultimate Step-Dad – Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph, 3

The Ultimate Step-Dad – Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph, 3:
“And You Shall Name Him Jesus”
Matthew 1:24-25
Rev. Clark Lynn Callender, 12/19/10

Retired preacher Will Thompson tells the following story of an unusual experience he had one year, and the profound lesson he learned from it, when he was called, at the last moment, to fill in for a fellow preacher who had come down sick at Christmas. He writes:
“I was invited to preach for a pastor on Christmas Eve. During the service I noticed that there was a manger scene on the altar. But on closer inspection, I saw only farm animals, shepherds, and Mary and Joseph, by the lighted barn. I couldn’t find a baby in the manger. When the time came for the sermon, I walked to the altar and asked the congregation if they had seen Jesus. Everyone looked perplexed. I told them I had looked all over the altar but couldn’t find him anywhere.
“Finally, a woman in the choir responded, ‘I know where Jesus is. He’s still in the box we haven’t unpacked yet.’
“I couldn’t help but reflect on the fact that this is what Christmas comes down to for most people – myself included: Amidst all the festivities, Jesus himself left boxed away somewhere. The one thing we didn’t unpack.”
This is something of what I’d like to talk about this morning: UNPACKING JESUS.

Today, in our continuing look at “Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph” we see the next step of Joseph’s obedience in the drama: Having taken Mary as his wife, once the child is born, Joseph names him Jesus – as the angel had commanded him to do. This is one of a handful of key responsibilities entrusted with Joseph which he fulfills. The question being:
Why Jesus? That is, why this particular name? What is this important and what is God trying to tell us in this?
As we all know, the name Jesus is a powerful name. Think about it... Let’s say you get into a religious discussion with someone. In such discussions, most people are comfortable talking about GOD – God in general, God generic, if you will. But mention the name of Jesus and the discussion suddenly changes – sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. It’s polarizing. This name identifies a unique concept of God that alters the conversation.
The name Jesus defines a specific understanding of God and his work. What is this understanding?
Well, the name Jesus is, essentially (through some transliteration) the Greek form of the Hebrew name JOSHUA. And as historians tell us, in Jesus’ day, the name was very common. Many graves of that period have been found in that region with the name Jesus on them – obviously leading to all sorts of confusion! Remember, even at Jesus’ crucifixion, when the people called for his death, a criminal was let go - the criminal Barabbas. Full name: JESUS Barabbas.
A common name. And right off the top, that should tell us something: That it speaks of his association with the common person, with everyone.
A common name of the time; but what does it mean?
Well, the name Jesus means “GOD SAVES” or “GOD IS SALVATION.” That is, the name Jesus defines God specifically as a SAVIOR.
Why is this so important (as to get angelic instruction) and why is it crucial that this “Jesus” be “unpacked” in our holiday festivities? Four thoughts...
(I)
First, the name Jesus IDENTIFIES THE ILLNESS.
A great theologian once said: "If God had perceived that our greatest need was economic, he would have sent an economist. If he had perceived that our greatest need was entertainment, he would have sent us a comedian or an artist. If God had perceived that our greatest need was political stability, he would have sent us a politician. If he had perceived that our greatest need was health, he would have sent us a doctor. But he perceived that our greatest need involved our sin, our alienation from him, our profound rebellion, our death; and thus, he sent us a Savior.”
The name Jesus means SAVIOR and thus, to begin with, it tells us what we most need, namely: SALVATION. Salvation from what? Well, the angel has told Joseph (and us): “You shall name him Jesus – for he will save his people from their sins.” The problem is SIN – the barrier that stands between us and God, the brokenness in our relationship with our Creator.
The name Jesus begins by IDENTIFYING THE ILLNESS that plagues all humanity – it defines the disease that must be treated if there is ever to be wholeness. But, of course, right here the problem begins:
Most people want help from God, welcome it – indeed, most demand and expect it. We’re bugged with God if we don’t get it! What’s the old saying: “God created the world in a week; and then he began the next week by taking complaints!” We want help form God – expect it! But let’s face it, we don’t generally think of such help in terms of addressing sin. No, we may use that word here in church; but in “real life” that isn’t what matters - for us, it’s always externals: “Lord, heal my body. Lord, give me a good job. Lord, put money in my bank account. Lord, fix my marriage. Lord, straighten out my kids.”
To which Jesus says: “I long to do all of that. I can do it all! But to do any of that, to have any of it happen, you and I first have to work on the broken relationship between us. It all hinges on this. It all comes down to this!”
Salvation is offered; but, more often than not, it is refused! And if you don’t believe me, just think about your own life... How many times have you come here to church? How many Sundays? How many Christmases? How often have you come here – week after week, month after month, year after year, decade after decade... and the same problems plague you? You never seem to get anywhere? Why? Because we come so close but, in the end, we won’t let God get down to the real issue! We seek to treat only the symptoms of the illness not the disease itself! And thus, like a cancer it festers until it consumes all!
You know, salvation sounds like such a “sweet deal”: Jesus offers, as a free gift received through faith alone, to rescue us from our sin, restore us to a right relationship with our Creator, and give us life eternal. INTELLECTUALLY almost everyone wants this – I mean, who wouldn’t want to be rescued from their problems? Despite arguments to the contrary, the problem isn’t really so much intellectual; it’s more a question of WILL...
You see, the problem with salvation is that it reaches deeper than we want to go, it asks more of us than we wish to offer – specifically, it requires GIVING UP CONTROL. Essentially, to accept salvation in Jesus Christ is to say that there is fundamental problem deep within me that I cannot fix on my own. I need help. What’s the old saying? “We have met the enemy and it is us.” It is, in effect to say: “I cannot be trusted with myself. I cannot be left in charge of me. God alone can rescue me. I must surrender my way to his.”
A surrender in which, ironically, we become the victors in the battle, for in losing ourselves to God, our will becomes more powerful than it ever was! But all we can see on the surface is this LOSS OF CONTROL – this humility that says: “There is something I cannot do on my own. And this one thing is the most important thing! Life is beyond my grasp!”
But we fight this, tooth and nail. Every day, in a million ways large and small, we endlessly try to convince ourselves that, on our own, we can get a handle on this thing called life, on our terms, in charge of ourselves, in control, the way we want it. “Just need to eat right and exercise and I’ll be healthy... Just need to hustle a little more and I’ll be successful... Just need to read this book and I can fix my marriage... Just need to get more attractive and someone will love me... Just need to keep busy and I’ll get over this grief... Just need to try a little harder and I can finally beat this addiction... I can do this!”
Every day the same thing. And maybe, occasionally, we have our successes that encourage us; but invariably, somewhere along the line, reality gives us a “kick” to show us that it’s not really working. But we quickly turn a blind eye to this, convincing ourselves that’s an anomaly not the rule.
And thus, every day, people die to their addictions, they die in broken relationships; they die in anger and resentment and bitterness; they die in loneliness and pain and self loathing; they die in emptiness where there could have been fulfillment, in grief where there could have been joy, in separation where there could have been reconciliation - all because they would do anything but say, “I can’t do this. I’m going to have to put my life on God’s terms alone. Whatever that means for me.”
The name Jesus first tells us that there is a fundamental problem within us that we cannot fix on our own. Only he can. And if we are ever to get well; we have to go there. Basically: Do you want to finally really get somewhere in the problems of your life? Do you want to really get something out of this boring hour every week?! You’re here anyway, may as well get something out of it! Well then, first, want something, demand something, more from God than a friend, or a travelling companion, or an advisor, or a motivational speaker, or a shoulder to cry on, or a giant vending machine in the sky... Go deeper. Insist on a Savior! Treat the disease!
Preacher Wallace Chappell tells a story about a college student named Elizabeth who came home for Christmas one year after having been enlightened by a comparative religion course. She said to her pastor, “I am not interested in a God who saves me, I have no need of that; I am more attracted to a God who journeys with me – who identifies with me.” The wise pastor said, “Elizabeth, let me ask you a question. Imagine yourself on the 8th floor of a hotel here in Nashville, and the building catches on fire. The stairs are blocked by fire. Let’s suppose that firemen at great risk to themselves manage to climb extended ladders to your window. At that point, do you want those firemen to save you, or to just identify with you? Make no mistake, the situation is the same: sin has you at the verge of death, and you are helpless to save yourself. What do you want?”
The name Jesus first IDENTIFIES THE ILLNESS.
(II)
Secondly, it PROVIDES A PROMISE.
As stated, the name Jesus means “God is salvation” or “God saves.” Now, think about that...
As just noted, this name defines the problem that we are dealing with, namely: sin; and what our greatest need is, namely: a Savior. But notice that it doesn’t leave it there. It also tells us that God is ACTIVE on precisely this issue – that God IS this Savior! That is, notice that the name Jesus doesn’t mean “God may save” or “God would like to save but can’t” or “God occasionally saves” or “God can save but won’t.” No, the name means “God is salvation”, “God saves” – it is God’s very NATURE!
The name not only identifies the illness but PROVIDES A PROMISE: It tells us that God is fully AWARE of our sin but does not hold it against us; and is ACTIVELY WORKING to rescue us from whatever way that sin has a hold of, and is ruining, our lives! That we can count on this – base our lives upon it!
The name of Jesus is secondly a PROMISE – a promise that God is inviting us to take hold of. To claim the power of that name, it’s promise in our lives. That when your heart says, “The things I’ve done in my life are too bad, too evil, God could never love me!”; to say, “No, God is salvation. He knows all I’ve done and loves me anyway! Forgives all! It’s all gone!” Or when your heart says, “My life is too messed up. I’ve loused up my marriage, or my family, or my career, or my health too badly to ever have anything good again!”; to say: “No! God is salvation. And that means that God is working on whatever sin has done to me and can rescue me from it!” Can bring new, even better, life out of the most messed up bodies and relationships and marriages and families and careers... and souls!
Have you ever heard the story of the woman who was very afraid of flying? She couldn’t understand how a plane could stay up in the air with all that weight in it. Well, one day, her grandson, whom she loved dearly, invited her to come visit him at his home across the country. He sent along a plane ticket. The woman decided to brave it.
When she arrived at the other coats, her grandson greeted her at the airport. He asked how the flight was. She replied: “Well, it was okay. But I made a point never to put my full weight down in the seat!”
This is they a lot of Christians are in their faith: They know about Jesus but they won’t rest their full weight upon him!
It has been said: “There is no conceivable situation in which it is not safe to trust in Jesus.” The great Corrie ten Boom once remarked: “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”
Claim the saving promise of Jesus’ name. It has the power to send running the evil that seeks take your life every day! Picture it this way:
About 40 years ago, United Methodist Bishop Woodie White found himself in a situation he never thought he would encounter. Ministering in the inner city, a man put a gun to his head. Needless to say, Bishop White was terrified, fear overtook him. But then, as he recalls, suddenly, without even thinking, he spoke the following words – he said simply: “Jesus, Jesus, have mercy.” And with that, he says, all his fear left him - and was transferred to his assailant – who, much to his surprise took off running!
Now, obviously, things don’t always turn out as dramatically as this; but the point Bishop White said he learned from this for all situations is this: That the name Jesus has the power to send evil running because it is a promise that says that God is fully aware of our sin and does not hold it against us; but rather, has come to show that sin who is boss! Claim this promise in your life! When the guilt shows up, when the hopelessness arises, when the despair takes over, when the fear overtakes you, when the self-loathing consumes you; say, “No! I have the promise of Jesus: God saves!”
The name of Jesus, secondly, PROVIDES A PROMISE. Which leads us into...
(III)
Thirdly then, it CALLS FOR COMPASSION.
Very simply: As mentioned, the name Jesus defines the problem facing all humanity, the illness we are all infected with. And the point is, obviously, that EVERYONE IS SUFFERING from this: sin and the need for salvation. We, thus, should treat everyone accordingly. That is, the name Jesus should change our whole perspective on life, how we live every day, how we treat everyone we come in contact with – how we should treat one another.
Just think about how often we tend to see the failings and wrongs and weaknesses of others as an annoyance. We pass judgment in a heartbeat. We condemn. We criticize. We have our own struggles that hinder us; but everyone else is just being lazy. They could do better if they only tried. We can spot a fault in another at 1,000 yards and we have no patience with it!
I’m reminded of the story of the woman who was Christmas shopping with her daughter. The crowds were awful. The woman had to skip lunch because she was on a tight schedule. Now she was tired, hungry, her feet were hurting, and she was more than a little irritable. As they left the last store, she asked her daughter, “Did you see the nasty look that salesman gave me?” Her daughter answered, “He didn’t give it to you, Mom. You had it when you went in.”
We have struggles. Everyone else is just a jerk. Yeah, right. Blind to others we are blind to ourselves.
The name of Jesus thirdly CALLS FOR COMPASSION. It reminds us to remember that everyone is struggling, that everyone has their own way that sin has hold of them. No one is exempt. Be kind – everybody is just barely holding on! Are we helping them along or adding to their burden?
A writer tells the true story of a couple, Norma and Tom, who moved into a small town in Massachusetts. One day, Norma grumbled to a neighbor about the poor service at the local library. She hoped that her friend would repeat her complaint. The next time Norma entered the library, the librarian was indeed all smiles and extremely helpful! Norma reported the miraculous change to her neighbor. “I suppose you told her how poor we thought the service was?” “No,” confessed her friend, “I hope you don’t mind, but I told her that you were greatly impressed at the way she had built up this small town library, and that you thought she showed great taste in the new books she ordered. I’m afraid any change was the result of kindness not criticism.”
Loving people into new life instead of vainly insisting on constantly despising them into it. It’s what Jesus did for us and what his name should remind us to do for all others.
The name of Jesus, thirdly, CALLS FOR COMPASSION. And finally...
(IV)
Fourth: it DEMANDS A DECISION.
Returning to where we began: The baby is born and Joseph names him Jesus as instructed. Think about just that act itself, and what it must have meant – from Joseph’s perspective...
As noted over the past few weeks, Joseph’s obedience to this angelic visitation has turned his life upside down. He’s had to put himself – his hopes, his plans – aside for the work of God. And here, one more time, even in the naming of the child he has to step aside. The first child of his family and he doesn’t even get to name him.
I can’t help but wonder: Is this a name he would have chosen?
It was a common name; but was it even on his list? Most couples, when they get married and look to start a family, begin thinking of possible names for their children. It’s an important part of their relationship and the creation of their family. Particularly, in those days, most children where given names that had some previous family connection. Was this even on the list?
Picture Joseph then having to answer for this name... You know, whenever a couple has a child and names them, what’s one of the first thing people ask? “Why did you choose that name?” How do you think Joseph replied to such inquiries? Did he just try to pass it off: “We thought it sounded nice”? Or did he dig a little deeper: “I felt God tell me to name him this”? Or did he tell the whole story: “This child is to save the world from their sin”?
Whatever, this name was always before him from here on out: Every day calling his son into the workshop to help with some project, teaching him the art of carpentry. Father son stuff; but that name reminding him he’s not his. Hearing him called by his friends and neighbors. Mary calling to her son. This constant reminder, endlessly before him, of the path he had chosen – the DECISION HE HAD MADE. One decision that changed all the rest of his decisions. And that, you see, is the final point here:
The name of Jesus finally marks a DECISION one man made 2,000 years ago – a lifetime commitment that resulted in a Savior being born to him. This same decision being required of every person ever since if they too hope to experience this Savior born into their lives!
Plainly stated: Many people finally never experience salvation because they never make a formal decision to claim Jesus as their Savior! Oh, they come real close: They go to church every Sunday, they sing the hymns, they put money in the plate, they say their prayers every day. They think about Jesus, they talk about Jesus, they read about Jesus. They do everything but decide for Jesus! They believe that’s enough. But they avoid any actual commitment, the actual decision, and thus, despite all the trappings, salvation is far from them – and most sadly of all, they fail to realize it! They believe the weak, pale imitation of salvation they know is the real thing – when it’s not!
As we’ve noted in the past – as the great evangelist Billy Sunday used to say: “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going into your garage makes you a car!” (And trust me, those of you who know me - with that garage thing... I’ve tried!)
Make no mistake: Jesus will not, and cannot, force his way into any life; he must be invited, he must be welcomed. Salvation requires, at some point in your life, getting down on your knees and saying, “Lord, Jesus Christ, I give my life to you. You are my Savior.” It requires not just thinking about this but actually doing it! It requires making this formal commitment, this decision. And then it requires constantly making this same decision a million times every day from there on out – in every word, every action, every thought – DECIDING FOR JESUS: What does he want? What does he say? What is he about?
Have you ever made that decision? Or are you hoping to just “catch” salvation by getting near to Jesus? Maybe it will just “rub off” on you. Maybe he’ll sneeze on you and you’ll get it. Well, you can catch the FLU by getting near somebody who has it; but you don’t “catch” salvation – you have to decide for it! We all come into this life pre-immunized with a “resist salvation” shot – and it’s called SIN!
Understand, this is the “A,B,C’s of Salvation”: A – ACKNOWLEDGE. Acknowledge your sinfulness. Give that to God – how sin has a hold of you and you’re helpless. B – BELIEVE. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, that his death and resurrection has forgiven all your sin and restored you to a right relationship with God. Refuse any voice that says otherwise. And C – COMMIT. Commit your life to Jesus Christ – live for nothing but him.
When you think about the name Jesus, finally think not only of what that name means; but the one who gave him that name and what it meant to him: A decision. A decision that resulted in lifetime commitment.
One author writes:
It was Christmas Eve and a man’s wife and children were getting ready to go to church. He wasn’t going. “I’ve heard about Jesus my whole life,” he said to his wife. “But so what. It’s just a bunch of mumbo jumbo that means nothing. Especially Christmas - I simply can’t understand what Christmas is all about, this claim that God became man. Anyway, who cares. I have real problems to deal with. Let’s see God do something about that.”
It had been snowing all day and it was beginning to snow harder as the man’s family rode off to church without him. He drew a chair up to the fireplace and began to read his newspaper.
A few minutes later, there was a thudding sound at the kitchen window. When he went to investigate, he found a flock of birds out in the back yard. They had been caught in the storm, and in a desperate search for shelter, were trying to fly through the kitchen window. He was a very kind man so he tried to think of something he could do so the birds wouldn’t freeze. “The barn!” he thought. That would be a nice shelter.
He put on his coat and overshoes and tramped through the deepening snow to the barn and opened the door wide and turned on the light. But the birds didn’t come in. Food will bring them in he thought. So he hurried back to the house for bread crumbs which he sprinkled on the snow to make a trail to the barn.
But the birds ignored the bread crumbs and continued to flop around helplessly in the snow. He tried shooing them into the barn by walking around waving his arms. They scattered in every direction except into the warm, lighted barn. "They find me a strange and terrifying creature," he said to himself, "and I can’t seem to think of any way to let them know they can trust me."
Puzzled and dismayed, he pondered this thought, “If only I could be a bird myself for the moment, perhaps I could lead them to safety.” If only I could be a bird myself...
Just then the church bells began to ring, pealing the glad tidings of Christmas. The man stood silently for a minute, then sank to his knees in the snow.
“Now I understand,” he whispered as he lifted his gaze to the sky. “You became like me to save me and I have been running from you. Please, help me!” He knelt in the snow and that night gave himself to Jesus. And with that, the man rushed off to church, and joining his wife and family in the pew, they all wept for joy. And nothing was ever the same again.

It is written that “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
A Savior. The name JESUS identifies the illness, provides a promise, calls for compassion, and finally: DEMANDS A DECISION. This Advent season, this week, this morning... this very moment: Make that decision. Commit your life to Jesus; recommit yourself to him... and be saved! Celebrate the true Christmas!