Matt.1:20,21 – But when he had thought this over, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son; and you shall name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

This word that the angel gave to Joseph was quite a game changing word. Think about the ramifications; go ahead and marry your fiancé even though she is pregnant and not by you, the Child is conceived by the Holy Spirit, and He will save His people from their sins. Wow!!! Joseph had to be in quite a state of shock, he had to be to follow through and take Mary to be his wife. But one word that the angel said sticks with me, he said that Jesus would “save” His people from their sins. This is an over the top promise. The Greek word for save is sozo and has quite a diverse set of meanings wrapped up in it. Here are several examples from the ministry of Jesus that show the meaning of the word sozo.

HEALING FROM DISEASE

Matt.9:22 – But Jesus, turning and seeing her, said, “Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well.” And at once the woman was made well.”

Jesus famously told the woman with the issue of blood that she was completely healed. Jesus came to heal us of our diseases. This woman was not only sick but also emotionally traumatized from her years of isolation and suffering. Jesus told her she was made whole in her entire being by His touch.

DEMONIZED MAN MADE WHOLE

Lk.8:36 – Those who had seen everything reported to them how the man who had been demon-possessed had been made well.

This man who had been suicidal and violent toward others for years was also healed by the Lord. Not only did the demons come, out Jesus told this man he had been made well – sozo – He also had been saved from his sins.

BLIND MAN MADE WHOLE

Lk.18:42 – And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.”

This blind man also was made completely whole – sozo. Not only were his physical eyes healed, the eyes of his heart were opened. He would no longer walk in the darkness of this age, Jesus had made him whole.

This was the message the angel brought to Joseph, Jesus came to break the power of sin. No matter what toll sin has taken on your life, Jesus came to save us completely from sin and all its consequences.