Yeshua: The Lord Is Salvation

The name Jesus in Hebrew is Yeshua, very close to the name we know of as Joshua. The name literally means “the Lord saves" or "the Lord is salvation.” In the Old Testament, it was Moses who led Israel from Egypt, gave the Law, and helped prepare Israel for its future in the promised Land, but it was Joshua who led them victoriously to inherit the Land.

Jesus is not only a new prophet like Moses, but He is also a new Joshua. Except as the new Joshua of the New Covenant, He would not lead Israel in military battle with their enemies as the Jewish zealots hoped for but would come to rescue the people from the enemy within each of them—their own sins that kept them perpetually in a state of exile and judgment.

This “Savior” was the “Messiah” or “Christ,” the smeared or anointed One, chosen to bring Israel and ultimately people from other nations, tongues, and tribes out of their captivity to sin and a fallen world. Yeshua born in Bethlehem was “the Lord” in an age that knew many Lords and Caesars, including a king who ruled in Jerusalem (Herod) and the Caesar who ruled from Rome (Augustus) who promised a pax (peace) on earth under his own glory and might. But despite many attempts to revive it, the Roman Empire is now ancient history, yet the Kingdom of Christ has lasted longer and spread larger than any other kingdom rule by men on earth.

There is no “Savior” like Jesus. There is no one “anointed” like Jesus. There is no “Lord” but Jesus. In Him is our salvation, from the sin in ourselves, from the sins of each other and the world around us, and from the sin that ultimately separates us from the perfect peace (shalom) of God in heaven and on earth.  

Prayer

Jesus, I agree with the words of the angel who spoke to the shepherds long ago that You are the Messiah, the Savior, the Lord. Flesh and blood did not reveal this to me, but the Spirit You sent who witnesses with my spirit that I belong to You. I know this to be true, because in You I have found a peace that passes understanding and a peace that the world can never promise me. Your divine peace holds me now even in the midst my life still lived on this fallen outpost of heaven, and Your peace will hold me and fill me forevermore in eternity with You.

Amen.