What’s in a Name

The other day I was walking with our dog, Jack, when he suddenly took off in fast speed. I looked in the distance to see one of Jack’s friends, a Rottweiler named Doris. Now, there is something in the name Rottweiler. One may immediately think huge, powerful, mean. Then one hears the name Doris which probably melts away any fears that sprang to mind.. Rottweiler sounds ferocious; Doris sounds meek and mild. There is something in a name.

As we get to know someone, traits may be associated with that name, be it a good trait or less favorable one. By example, perhaps you know someone, we’ll call her Cindy-Lou. Let’s say this person is always grumpy; finding a cloud in every sunshiny day. Now let’s say you are talking with someone and he or she says something pessimistic You may say, “Now don’t do a Cindy-Lou on me.” (Apologies to anyone named Cindy-Lou). We identify and are identified by a name.

Thinking of our dog again, two weeks ago I took Jack to the vet, just for his annual check-up. As we walked in the door the receptionist happily calls out, “Jack!” A nurse standing nearby stops what she is doing to come say a personal hello to Jack. “Jack is the sweetest dog,” she tells me. “We just love when we hear Jack is coming.” Of course, I swell with pride in knowing just the mention of his name evokes great joy in the vet clinic.

As Christians, you and I are identified with the wonderful. powerful, saving name of Jesus. We read in Philippians 2:9, God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in Heaven, and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (ESV). Since all who receive Jesus’s gift of salvation are counted as sons and daughters of God, then our names are written in the Book of Life. We are identified with Jesus for eternity.

To be so identified is a badge of honor. After all, Jesus saves. Jesus comforts. Jesus gives strength. Jesus is the Word and the Word is sharper than any two edged sword, able to cut through our pretenses, thereby able to mold us more and more into the image of Jesus. There is no other name as great and wonderful as the name of Jesus.

When we hear the name — Jack, Doris, Cindy-Lou, Vickie, or any other name, they evoke some emotion within, be it love or fear, courage, distain, or indifference. These emotions are ever changing and passing, but there is a name, above all names, that is eternal in love and power and salvation — Jesus. The sweet name of Jesus. The powerful name of Jesus. I hope you love this name. I hope you identify with this name, for then, no matter the trials of life, in the name of Jesus, you have everything you need to get through anything at all.

All praise and honor to that lovely, life changing name — Jesus.