When the eternal Son took on flesh and became a man, the name "Jesus" revealed a deeper mystery than anyone could have ever imagined.
The angel explains what it means that this child will be "the Lord saves." He will save His people from their sins, but what does it mean that He will save His people from their sins?
This child will atone for sin with His own blood. He will be the fulfillment of the entire sacrificial system of the Old Testament. He will be the substance of all the shadows. Every sacrifice was temporary, and every priest was limited. Jesus came to be the once and for all sacrifice that perfectly and sufficiently paid the price for our sin.
But not only does Jesus save His people from the penalty of sin. He came to save us from the power and the presence of sin as well.
Jesus saves us from serving sin as a master. He sets us free to truly love and treasure God, to obey and to serve Him as Lord. He sets us free from the lies and destruction of living life as a slave to sin.
And one day, Jesus will destroy even the presence of sin, so that we live in His kingdom for all eternity in absolute perfection with our God and our King.
"She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:21