72. Jesus is the divine name that alone brings salvation.

Jesus is the divine name that alone brings salvation.

YOUCAT Catechism + Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 72

Ave Maria series

72.  What does the name “Jesus” mean?

Jesus means in Hebrew “God saves.” [430-435, 452]

Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, created by French sculptor Paul Landowski.... "Full authority has been given to me both in heaven and on earth: go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations.  Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you.  And know that I am with you always, until the end of the world”--Matthew 28:18b-20. ....72

In the Acts of the Apostles Peter says, “There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts of the Apostles 4:12).  This is essentially the message that all missionaries brought to people.

“That is one of the reasons I believe in Christianity.  It is a religion you could not have guessed.”  C. S. Lewis (1898-1963)

[430-435, 452]

JESUS

430 Jesus means in Hebrew: "God saves." At the annunciation, the angel Gabriel gave him the name Jesus as his proper name, which expresses both his identity and his mission (compare Luke 1:31 ).¹⁸  Since God alone can forgive sins, it is God who, in Jesus his eternal Son made man, "will save his people from their sins" ( Matthew 1:21; compare Mt. 2:7).¹⁹  In Jesus, God recapitulates all of his history of salvation on behalf of men.--Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

431 In the history of salvation God was not content to deliver Israel "out of the house of bondage" (Deuteronomy 5:6.)²⁰ by bringing them out of Egypt. He also saves them from their sin. Because sin is always an offence against God, only he can forgive it (compare  Psalm 51:4,12.).²¹  For this reason Israel, becoming more and more aware of the universality of sin, will no longer be able to seek salvation except by invoking the name of the Redeemer God (compare Psalm 79:9) .²² --CCC

432 The name "Jesus" signifies that the very name of God is present in the person of his Son, made man for the universal and definitive redemption from sins. It is the divine name that alone brings salvation, and henceforth all can invoke his name, for Jesus united himself to all men through his Incarnation (compare John 3:18; Acts of the Apostles 2:21; Acts 5:41; 3 John 1:7; Romans 10:6-13),²³ so that "there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts of the Apostles 4:12; compare Acts 9:14; James 2:7)."²⁴—CCC

433 The name of the Savior God was invoked only once in the year by the high priest in atonement for the sins of Israel, after he had sprinkled the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies with the sacrificial blood. The mercy seat was the place of God's presence (compare Exodus 25:22; Leviticus 16:2,15-16; Numbers 7:89; Sirach 50:20; Hebrews 9:5,7).²⁵  When St. Paul speaks of Jesus whom "God put forward as an expiation by his blood", he means that in Christ's humanity "God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself: (Romans 3:25; 2 Corinthians 5:19)."²⁶—CCC

434 Jesus' Resurrection glorifies the name of the Savior God, for from that time on it is the name of Jesus that fully manifests the supreme power of the "name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:9-10; compare John 12:28).²⁷  The evil spirits fear his name; in his name his disciples perform miracles, for the Father grants all they ask in this name (compare Acts of the Apostles 16:16-18; Acts 19:13-16; Mark 16:17; John 15:16).--CCC

435 The name of Jesus is at the heart of Christian prayer. All liturgical prayers conclude with the words "through our Lord Jesus Christ". The Hail Mary reaches its high point in the words "blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus." The Eastern prayer of the heart, the Jesus Prayer, says: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." Many Christians, such as St. Joan of Arc, have died with the one word "Jesus" on their lips.--CCC

IN BRIEF

452 The name Jesus means "God saves". The child born of the Virgin Mary is called Jesus, "for he will save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21): "there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts of the Apostles 4:12).