Interpretation of the Bible / Matthew 1:21
The Bible verse we are dealing with today is considered one of the most important in the entire New Testament, as it sums up the main purpose of Jesus Christ's coming into the world. We are told that the Virgin Mary will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. This brief statement has in itself great theological richness, which deserves to be explored in detail.
The name given to the child born to the Virgin Mary is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating aspects of this verse. The word "Jesus" comes from the Hebrew "Yeshua," which means "Jehovah is salvation." Thus, from the very moment of his birth, the child who is to be called Jesus has a name that announces his mission on earth: to save humanity from its sins and reconcile it with God. This name is the one that has been invoked throughout history by millions of Christians around the world, as a symbol of hope, salvation and divine love.
As the verse itself says, Jesus Christ's primary mission is to "save his people from their sins." To understand the meaning of this phrase, it is important to remember that sin is that which distances us from God's grace and makes us deserving of eternal punishment. The Bible teaches us that we have all sinned and are far from divine perfection (Romans 3:23), and that only through faith in Jesus Christ can we be justified and restored to our relationship with God (Romans 5:1-2). That is, the saving work of Jesus Christ consists of cleansing our sins and making us worthy of eternal life, through his sacrifice on the cross and his resurrection.
This verse has many aspects that invite reflection. For example, we can ask ourselves: how is it possible for a man to save humanity from its sins? Why is the redemptive work of Jesus Christ necessary? What does the word "salvation" really mean? These are deep and complex questions, which have multiple answers depending on each individual's perspective. Some possible reflections are:
Salvation is a continuous process that involves the transformation of our inner being and communion with God. It is not just a matter of avoiding sins, but of living according to the divine will at every moment.
The saving work of Jesus Christ is an expression of God's unconditional love for humanity. Through the incarnation, life, death and resurrection of his Son, God shows us that he is willing to do anything for our salvation and invites us to love him and follow him.
Salvation is a promise and a gift that we can only receive by the grace of God, through faith in Jesus Christ. It is not something that we can achieve by our own means, but it is given to us freely by divine love.