---

Bernard has delightfully said that the name "Jesus" is honey in the mouth, melody in the ear, and joy in the heart. I rejoice in that expression on my own account, for it gives me my share of the delight, and leads me to hope that, while I am speaking, the sweetness of that precious name may fill my own mouth. Here also is a portion for you who are listening: it is melody in the ear. If my voice should be harsh, and my words discordant, you will yet have music of the choicest order, for the name itself is essential melody, and my whole sermon will ring with its silver note. May both speaker and hearer join in the third word of Bernard's sentence, and may we all find it to be joy in our hearts, a jubilee within our souls. Jesus is the way to God, therefore will we preach Him; He is the truth, therefore will we hear of Him; He is the life, therefore shall our hearts rejoice in Him. His transporting name is an ointment poured forth, and its scent is varied so as to contain the essence of all fragrances.

I. THE NAME OF JESUS IS A NAME DIVINELY ORDERED AND EXPOUNDED. Like Himself it came down from heaven, for an angel brought it.

1. It is the best name He could bear. To be the " Saviour" is His glory.

2. It is the most appropriate name He could receive. God the Father, who knows Him best, sees this to be His grand characteristic, that He is the "Saviour," and is best represented by this name.

3. It is a name which must be true, since Infinite Wisdom has selected it. A "Saviour" He must be upon a grand scale, continually, abundantly.

II. OUR LORD WAS ACTUALLY CALLED BY THE NAME "JESUS" BY MAN. The God of heaven by His angel appoints the Child's name, but He leaves it to Joseph and Mary to announce it. Those who are taught of God, joyfully recognize that Christ is salvation, and without a question name Him thus.

III. THE NAME HAD BEES TYPICALLY WORN BY ANOTHER, BUT IS NOW RESERVED FOR HIM ALONE. Jesus and Joshua are the same word: Joshua the Hebrew form, Jesus the Greek. The son of Nun was a type of the son of Mary. Jesus of Nazareth alone can save fully from sin.

IV. THIS NAME IDENTIFIES OUR LORD WITH HIS PEOPLE. He declares His relation to them. It is to them that He is a Saviour (Matthew 1:21).

V. THE NAME "JESUS" IS ONE WHICH INDICATES HIS MAIN WORK.

1. He "saves" by taking all the sins of His people upon Himself.

2. He "saves" His people by bearing the penalty due to their sins.

3. He "saves" by driving out the vipers of sin from the heart, and implanting in their stead fresh and holy objects, ambitions, motives.

VI. THIS NAME IS ONE WHICH IS COMPLETELY JUSTIFIED BY FACTS. Given Him before He had done anything, while yet a babe, has He not earned it? Does He not well deserve the name He bears?

VII. THIS NAME IS CHRIST'S PERSONAL NAME FOR EVER.

1. It is a home name. Given Him by His own mother.

2. It is a heart name. Full of the music of love — moving our affections, and firing our souls.

3. It was His death name. Written over the cross.

4. It is His resurrection name.

5. It is His gospel name.

6. It is His heaven name.There He is ever adored as the "Saviour." Let us go and tell of this name; let us continually meditate upon it; let us love it henceforth and for ever.

(C. H. Spurgeon.)

---

---

KJV: And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

WEB: Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and will call his name 'Jesus.'