WEBVTT 00:00:00.020 --> 00:00:05.100 This is one of those verses we might read quickly, but if we slow down, we see that the angel isn't 00:00:05.200 --> 00:00:09.140 just naming a baby. He's declaring the gospel in a single sentence. 00:00:14.820 --> 00:00:20.640 Welcome to the debut episode of Lifespring Media's Verses We Missed. Podcasting since 2004, 00:00:21.160 --> 00:00:27.359 I'm your host, Biroji Godcaster, Steve Webb. On the Verses We Missed show, we're going to be 00:00:27.380 --> 00:00:32.700 looking at verses you may have never read before, and we'll sometimes look at verses you may have 00:00:32.840 --> 00:00:37.980 heard or read dozens or hundreds of times, but maybe you didn't realize just how much meaning 00:00:38.300 --> 00:00:45.320 was just below the surface. Our verse today is one of those. Today's verse is Matthew 121. 00:00:45.710 --> 00:00:51.040 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people 00:00:51.720 --> 00:00:55.060 from their sins. And that's from the English Standard Version. 00:00:57.140 --> 00:01:01.140 I'm starting the show with this verse because all of Scripture points to Jesus 00:01:01.680 --> 00:01:04.680 and the salvation He made possible for anyone who will believe in Him. 00:01:05.480 --> 00:01:08.000 When we study Scripture and we're trying to find meaning, 00:01:08.600 --> 00:01:10.360 it's important to look at the context. 00:01:11.000 --> 00:01:12.680 We don't want to just focus on one verse. 00:01:13.400 --> 00:01:17.280 We want to look at the verses before and after the verse we're interested in. 00:01:17.680 --> 00:01:22.280 Because when we do that, we can get a better and hopefully more accurate idea 00:01:22.520 --> 00:01:24.080 of the intended meaning of the verse. 00:01:24.860 --> 00:01:28.740 So before we dig in on today's verse, let's take a look at the context. 00:01:29.620 --> 00:01:32.780 Of course, you probably know Matthew is the first book of the New Testament 00:01:33.220 --> 00:01:35.940 and the first of the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. 00:01:37.220 --> 00:01:39.700 Matthew was an eyewitness of the ministry of Jesus. 00:01:40.600 --> 00:01:43.880 The first two chapters of the book established Jesus' background. 00:01:44.920 --> 00:01:48.180 In the first part of Matthew chapter 1, we see Jesus' genealogy. 00:01:49.000 --> 00:01:52.100 Now, you've probably seen it if you've looked at the Bible before. 00:01:52.760 --> 00:01:56.400 This is that long list of names that most people just skip over. 00:01:56.860 --> 00:02:01.640 But believe me when I tell you that just the genealogy alone tells an amazing story. 00:02:02.120 --> 00:02:07.060 I won't spend a lot of time on it today, but here are just a few of the people that are in that genealogy. 00:02:07.420 --> 00:02:09.179 One or two of them just might surprise you. 00:02:09.899 --> 00:02:14.220 Now Matthew begins the list with Abraham, from whom the entire Hebrew race began. 00:02:15.020 --> 00:02:22.720 One of his sons was Isaac, and one of his sons was Jacob, who had 12 sons, from which came the 12 tribes of Israel. 00:02:23.320 --> 00:02:27.760 One of those sons was Judah, and of course his tribe was named after him, the tribe of Judah. 00:02:28.560 --> 00:02:35.160 And in the book of Revelation, chapter 5, verse 5, Jesus is referred to as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. 00:02:35.940 --> 00:02:42.940 Dropping further down the family tree, we come to a man named Salmon, S-A-L-M-O-N, not to be confused with Solomon. 00:02:43.880 --> 00:02:46.720 Now, Solomon was married to a woman named Rahab. 00:02:47.440 --> 00:02:52.340 Rahab was a prostitute, who I think you would agree is a pretty unlikely person to be in 00:02:52.340 --> 00:02:53.640 the lineage of Jesus, right? 00:02:54.500 --> 00:02:57.080 But Rahab was one of the heroes of the Old Testament. 00:02:57.760 --> 00:03:01.980 She sheltered the Israelite spies and confessed her faith in Israel's God. 00:03:01.990 --> 00:03:05.820 And for that, she and her family were spared when Jericho was defeated. 00:03:06.660 --> 00:03:11.260 And I think you'd probably agree with me that her place in the line of Jesus tells us a 00:03:11.300 --> 00:03:13.100 lot about God's forgiving grace. 00:03:14.500 --> 00:03:19.600 Down the family tree a bit, we come to David, the shepherd boy who slew the giant Goliath with a 00:03:19.760 --> 00:03:24.820 slingshot. The same David who wrote many of the Psalms, including the 23rd Psalm, and of course, 00:03:25.240 --> 00:03:31.280 this is the same King David who slept with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah. And when Bathsheba 00:03:31.560 --> 00:03:36.680 became pregnant, David had Uriah moved to the front lines of battle so that he would be killed 00:03:37.000 --> 00:03:42.340 as a way to try to cover up the adultery. David did end up marrying Bathsheba, but get this, 00:03:42.900 --> 00:03:47.760 The next name in the genealogy is Solomon, but listen to how it's recorded here. 00:03:48.600 --> 00:03:52.580 And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah. 00:03:53.280 --> 00:03:57.220 Bathsheba's name is not even mentioned, and David's sin is not covered up. 00:03:57.420 --> 00:04:03.960 Yet, God still referred to David as a man after God's own heart in 1 Samuel and Acts 13.22. 00:04:05.060 --> 00:04:09.240 Even though David sinned greatly, he trusted and loved God with his whole heart. 00:04:09.760 --> 00:04:12.900 He truly repented of his sins and pursued God wholeheartedly. 00:04:13.820 --> 00:04:15.840 The genealogy ends with verse 16. 00:04:16.620 --> 00:04:21.940 And Jacob, the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who was called 00:04:22.440 --> 00:04:22.640 Christ. 00:04:23.540 --> 00:04:28.860 Well, you might ask, why did Matthew use the genealogy of Joseph when he was not the father? 00:04:29.560 --> 00:04:31.520 Well, because legally he was. 00:04:31.570 --> 00:04:34.260 It was not a word for stepfather. 00:04:34.800 --> 00:04:38.620 And in that time, genealogies were almost always traced through the father's line. 00:04:39.400 --> 00:04:43.540 Now, interestingly, Luke's account of Jesus' genealogy is through Mary's line. 00:04:43.860 --> 00:04:47.700 And through both lines, Jesus is a descendant of King David, 00:04:47.820 --> 00:04:51.640 which is absolutely necessary to fulfill that particular prophecy. 00:04:52.240 --> 00:04:54.680 After the genealogy, we read about Jesus' birth. 00:04:55.100 --> 00:04:58.960 And most of us have probably read or heard the account of how Jesus came into the world 00:04:59.340 --> 00:05:02.600 dozens, hundreds, or possibly even thousands of times. 00:05:02.800 --> 00:05:04.900 But just in case you need a refresher, 00:05:05.240 --> 00:05:09.740 let me read a partial account from Matthew's Gospel, chapter 1, verses 18 through 21. 00:05:11.240 --> 00:05:16.760 Now the birth of Jesus took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph 00:05:17.120 --> 00:05:23.020 before they came together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband 00:05:23.280 --> 00:05:29.660 Joseph, being a just man and being unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 00:05:30.300 --> 00:05:34.800 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, 00:05:35.080 --> 00:05:41.380 saying, Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in 00:05:41.500 --> 00:05:47.980 her is from the Holy Spirit. Okay, and now we get to today's focus verse. She will bear a son, 00:05:48.340 --> 00:05:54.180 said the angel, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. 00:05:54.740 --> 00:05:59.260 Now let's finish the chapter. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken to the prophet. 00:05:59.660 --> 00:06:04.920 Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, 00:06:05.320 --> 00:06:06.720 which means God with us. 00:06:07.420 --> 00:06:10.940 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him. 00:06:11.180 --> 00:06:15.140 He took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. 00:06:15.600 --> 00:06:17.580 And he called his name Jesus. 00:06:18.660 --> 00:06:20.780 Now we're going to get to the hidden treasure in just a moment, 00:06:20.860 --> 00:06:23.580 but I need to stop again and talk about Emmanuel. 00:06:24.720 --> 00:06:29.380 Verse 23 there was a quote from Isaiah 7, 14, where he said, 00:06:29.540 --> 00:06:35.460 they shall call his name Emmanuel. Now there are many names given to Jesus in both the Old and New 00:06:35.600 --> 00:06:41.840 Testaments. Isaiah 9.6 says he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting 00:06:42.100 --> 00:06:47.680 Father, Prince of Peace. In Luke 1.32, the angel says that Jesus will be called the Son of the Most 00:06:47.860 --> 00:06:54.319 High. These are things he is called because they do accurately describe him, just as Emmanuel does 00:06:54.340 --> 00:06:58.500 because he truly is God with us, which is what, of course, Emmanuel means. 00:06:59.600 --> 00:07:01.600 All right, well, we've heard a lot of rabbit holes, right? 00:07:01.840 --> 00:07:04.220 Let's climb out of this one and get to our verse for today. 00:07:04.310 --> 00:07:08.060 And by the way, rabbit holes are one of the really fun parts of studying scripture. 00:07:08.940 --> 00:07:12.520 Climbing down rabbit holes is one of the primary ways to find hidden treasures. 00:07:13.070 --> 00:07:13.900 So get used to it. 00:07:14.020 --> 00:07:16.260 We'll be doing a lot of it here on Verses We Missed. 00:07:17.380 --> 00:07:19.280 So what is the hidden treasure in today's verse? 00:07:19.960 --> 00:07:22.940 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, 00:07:23.440 --> 00:07:25.820 for he will save his people from their sins. 00:07:27.240 --> 00:07:30.360 The treasure is in the name itself, Jesus. 00:07:31.240 --> 00:07:33.100 To our ears, it's just a name. 00:07:33.380 --> 00:07:38.040 It isn't descriptive like Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 00:07:38.920 --> 00:07:41.260 So what is so special about the name Jesus? 00:07:41.840 --> 00:07:44.980 After all, even in the first century, it was a fairly common name. 00:07:45.600 --> 00:07:46.980 It was easily in the top ten. 00:07:47.780 --> 00:07:49.320 Now, not that it's a definitive source, 00:07:49.560 --> 00:07:55.000 but ChatGPT says that the name Jesus was the sixth most popular name in the first century. 00:07:55.610 --> 00:07:57.680 And just for fun, here are the top five. 00:07:58.220 --> 00:08:01.360 Simon, Joseph, Lazarus, Judah, and John. 00:08:02.440 --> 00:08:07.580 Also, according to ChatGPT, in 2025, the sixth most popular name is Henry. 00:08:08.280 --> 00:08:10.400 Can you imagine praying in Henry's name? 00:08:11.000 --> 00:08:14.000 Probably not, since Henry doesn't have the meaning that Jesus does, 00:08:14.210 --> 00:08:15.840 which we're going to get into right now. 00:08:16.340 --> 00:08:21.100 Of course, Joseph was not told to name the child Jesus because of the popularity of the name. 00:08:21.350 --> 00:08:22.180 There was another reason. 00:08:22.530 --> 00:08:28.740 Listen, the name Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew Yahashua, which in English we pronounce 00:08:29.000 --> 00:08:29.760 as Joshua. 00:08:30.640 --> 00:08:33.380 So what does Jesus, Yahashua, or Joshua mean? 00:08:34.020 --> 00:08:38.320 It means Yahweh saves, or the Lord is salvation. 00:08:39.219 --> 00:08:44.000 By the time of the New Testament, the shortened form Yeshua was a very common name, and that 00:08:44.000 --> 00:08:45.600 is the Hebrew version of Jesus. 00:08:46.260 --> 00:08:47.520 Yeshua equals Jesus 00:08:48.280 --> 00:08:51.460 Now in the first century, many parents gave their sons this name 00:08:51.800 --> 00:08:54.000 because it expressed hope in God's salvation 00:08:54.980 --> 00:08:57.500 At that time, the Jewish people lived under Roman law 00:08:58.000 --> 00:09:00.900 They wanted to be delivered from the sometimes brutal oppression 00:09:01.820 --> 00:09:04.320 So what set this particular Jesus apart 00:09:05.020 --> 00:09:07.760 was that his mission was proclaimed in his name 00:09:08.440 --> 00:09:11.780 This Jesus was actually going to do what his name proclaimed 00:09:12.140 --> 00:09:13.359 but not as they expected 00:09:13.380 --> 00:09:20.000 He would most assuredly bring salvation, but a much more precious and long-lasting one than just salvation from Rome. 00:09:20.920 --> 00:09:28.800 He would bring eternal salvation from the wages of sin, and not only for the Jews of that time, but for all people who would place their faith in Him. 00:09:29.500 --> 00:09:37.680 And the promise applies to those who place their faith in the coming Messiah from times past, to those alive today, and to those who are yet to be born. 00:09:38.240 --> 00:09:43.000 Yes, even those from the Old Testament who place their faith in the prophesied Messiah. 00:09:43.840 --> 00:09:46.140 Now, here's another hidden or overlooked jewel. 00:09:46.980 --> 00:09:49.720 Remember, this was the angel of the Lord talking to Joseph. 00:09:50.250 --> 00:09:53.880 And in that culture, naming the child is a father's right. 00:09:54.480 --> 00:10:00.200 And here, God rightly takes that authority and Joseph humbly submits to God's command. 00:10:01.140 --> 00:10:03.580 Jesus is God's son with God's mission. 00:10:04.320 --> 00:10:07.880 And Joseph was a truly remarkable faith-filled man, wouldn't you say? 00:10:11.160 --> 00:10:12.640 So let's wrap this up, shall we? 00:10:13.240 --> 00:10:17.200 We miss this verse because it just seems to be a part of the whole Christmas tradition, 00:10:17.700 --> 00:10:20.440 with its pageantry and ribbons and bows and lights. 00:10:21.140 --> 00:10:22.900 It's just part of the whole Christmas bundle. 00:10:23.480 --> 00:10:25.340 We miss the weight of the name. 00:10:25.980 --> 00:10:28.960 Sometimes we almost take the name of Jesus for granted, don't we? 00:10:29.420 --> 00:10:33.440 We get so used to saying the name that we don't truly think about its meaning. 00:10:34.340 --> 00:10:38.160 But God was very intentional about what the Messiah's name would be. 00:10:38.960 --> 00:10:42.520 It was so important to him that he sent a special messenger, that angel, 00:10:43.060 --> 00:10:44.780 to tell Joseph what to name him. 00:10:45.480 --> 00:10:49.180 So, beloved, let's try to remember every time we speak the name Jesus 00:10:49.780 --> 00:10:52.280 that we are expressing God's plan of salvation. 00:10:53.040 --> 00:10:55.000 Jesus didn't come to fix our circumstances 00:10:55.320 --> 00:10:57.980 any more than he came to deliver the Jews from Roman rule. 00:10:58.460 --> 00:11:02.960 He came for the much more eternally significant work of saving us from our sins. 00:11:04.120 --> 00:11:07.420 Today's verse reminds us that the heart of the gospel, the good news, 00:11:08.040 --> 00:11:10.140 is not our comfort, but our salvation. 00:11:11.180 --> 00:11:14.420 Every time we say his name, we proclaim the good news. 00:11:15.220 --> 00:11:16.160 Yahweh saves. 00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:17.460 The Lord is salvation. 00:11:18.500 --> 00:11:21.720 And this is the hope of Christmas and the hope of eternity. 00:11:24.440 --> 00:11:25.180 Let's pray, shall we? 00:11:26.900 --> 00:11:31.640 Our Heavenly Father, Lord, we come to you today with thanksgiving in our hearts for the name of Jesus 00:11:32.160 --> 00:11:38.240 and that he did accomplish his mission for those who believe and accept the salvation he purchased with his shed blood. 00:11:39.040 --> 00:11:44.340 Thank you, Lord, for loving us before we even knew you, when we were yet captives to sin. 00:11:45.260 --> 00:11:46.200 Thank you for saving us. 00:11:46.900 --> 00:11:48.400 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:11:49.320 --> 00:11:49.540 Amen. 00:11:52.880 --> 00:11:54.600 This is a Value for Value show. 00:11:54.980 --> 00:11:56.960 There will never be any advertisers here. 00:11:57.400 --> 00:11:59.280 It's strictly value for value. 00:11:59.820 --> 00:12:04.200 If you were blessed, if you received any value, if you were surprised or encouraged, 00:12:04.680 --> 00:12:08.240 will you return some of that value in the form of time, talent, or treasure? 00:12:08.880 --> 00:12:09.680 But what does that mean? 00:12:10.260 --> 00:12:12.040 Well, this is a brand new show, Episode 1. 00:12:12.520 --> 00:12:17.060 If you liked what you heard, donate some time by telling someone about the show. 00:12:17.480 --> 00:12:20.020 Tell everyone you know who you think might enjoy it. 00:12:20.560 --> 00:12:22.220 Post about it on your socials. 00:12:22.760 --> 00:12:24.340 Help me grow the Lifespring family. 00:12:24.620 --> 00:12:25.440 And yes, that's right. 00:12:25.900 --> 00:12:29.460 Verses We Missed is a part of the Lifespring Media family of podcasts. 00:12:29.900 --> 00:12:32.940 And if you're a listener, you are a member of the Lifespring family. 00:12:33.300 --> 00:12:34.060 Welcome if you're new. 00:12:34.880 --> 00:12:36.720 If you like today's show, tell somebody. 00:12:37.540 --> 00:12:41.940 Another donation of time would be for you to email me at steve at lifespringmedia.com. 00:12:42.160 --> 00:12:42.800 Tell me your thoughts. 00:12:43.380 --> 00:12:47.160 And if you have a favorite verse that really grabbed your attention, tell me about it. 00:12:47.560 --> 00:12:48.920 Maybe I'll do an episode on it. 00:12:49.680 --> 00:12:52.080 To donate talent, let me know how you'd like to contribute. 00:12:52.780 --> 00:12:54.140 Episode art is always welcome. 00:12:54.620 --> 00:12:55.340 Show me what you got. 00:12:55.800 --> 00:12:57.320 steve at lifespringmedia.com 00:12:57.960 --> 00:13:03.200 To donate treasure, you can stream, sats, or boost the show using a podcasting 2.0 podcast app. 00:13:03.270 --> 00:13:06.840 You can find one of those great apps at podcastapps.com. 00:13:07.460 --> 00:13:08.760 Or you can donate at 00:13:10.300 --> 00:13:11.260 Lifespringmedia.com 00:13:11.700 --> 00:13:12.480 slash support. 00:13:12.920 --> 00:13:14.760 You'll find several ways to do that there. 00:13:17.300 --> 00:13:18.320 This is a weekly show 00:13:18.920 --> 00:13:21.480 released every Tuesday at 10 p.m. Pacific time 00:13:21.580 --> 00:13:23.480 so that it'll be in your podcast app 00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:24.380 on Wednesday morning. 00:13:25.100 --> 00:13:26.220 Hopefully it'll become a welcome 00:13:26.520 --> 00:13:27.620 midweek treasure for you. 00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:29.320 Be sure to follow or subscribe 00:13:29.560 --> 00:13:30.680 so you don't miss out. 00:13:31.300 --> 00:13:32.080 Until next time, 00:13:32.540 --> 00:13:33.820 may God bless you richly. 00:13:34.280 --> 00:13:35.400 My name is Steve Webb. 00:13:36.200 --> 00:13:36.380 Bye. 00:14:04.340 --> 00:14:05.300 Bye.