"What's In a Name?"

Passage: Isaiah 9:6  “He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”

Naming your children is an extremely awesome and tremendous task.  Back in my day…when you didn’t know whether you would have a boy or girl, you would make careful selections of both to be prepared.   Usually the first question you are asked (if you do find out if the baby is a boy or girl) is “what name have you chosen”.

Some names are reflective of the generations in which they were born.  My grandmothers born around the turn of the century were named Rose and Pearl. My grandfathers were named Albert and George. I don’t know many babies today named those names but names do have a way of coming around. 

Some names are reflective of the situations or popularity of the day.  Popular TV shows, movies and sports can spawn entire generations of Baker’s, Taylor’s, and Adele’s.  While most parents put a lot of thought into naming their children, I have known some to look around them and choose names like “Paja’ma” and “Apple”. 

When the angel first appeared to Mary (Luke 1:26-45), Mary was told “you will call His name Jesus”.  Joseph also was given the news (Matthew 1:20-21) that the baby would be given the name Jesus because He will save people from their sins.  The name was more than just what the child would be called.  It revealed the destiny and purpose of his life.  Of course we know now that’s exactly what Jesus did- He saved us from our sins. 

I was pondering the quote by William Shakespeare “What’s in a name?  A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”  I get what he is saying but I have to say there is just something sweet about the name of Jesus.  Of course He could have been called another name but God in His perfect way knew the perfect name for His Son.   

“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12

“Therefore 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.”  Philippians 2:9-11

Father…we pray these things in Jesus’ name.