What's In A Name?

Saturday July 17, 2010

Today's Passage: Matthew 1:21-23
Memory Verse: Psalm 9:10

Have you ever done research to see what your name meant?  People often ask the question "What's in a name?". Come to find out, a great deal of meaning goes into certain names.  Names do two things.  They label and describe.  They allow us to characterize, compartmentalize, and 
understand our social world.  

Our Savior has the ultimate name.  He has the name above all other names.  The first name His Father gave Him was Immanuel.  Immanuel means God with us.  It tells us when Immanuel's around, we are literally in the presence of God.  I don't have to tell you what being in God's presence means.  It's the most important thing in the world.  Being able to access God, through Jesus, no matter where we are, is a privilege not offered or experienced by false religions.  God's presence makes us who we are.  Without it, we're merely a civic club, or a social group.  So you see, the name Immanuel is a perfect reminder of who Jesus really is.  It keeps us from taking Him, or His presence, for granted.  
Jesus is also known as "Jesus Christ".  This name directly describes His anointing.  Christ means 'to smear'.  You know, like oil.  Jesus, the smearing of the anointing, is His holy name.  So when you're with Jesus, not only are you in the presence of the Most High, but something's going to get smeared with His anointing while you're there.  His influence is going to change someone's life.  That's why it's important to desire Him.  His name brings so much into your life.  Think about it.  When people say my name nothing happens.  In fact, people may even laugh because my name means nothing.  You'd think your pastor what crazy if he/she said "in the name of Chris" we pray, right?  It just doesn't have the same authority.  But say the name Jesus and the whole atmosphere changes.  Things become subjected to Him.  People who wish to reject Him become offended in secular circles.  You could say all the bad words, or tell all the perverted jokes you want, but the minute you start talking about Jesus, peoples' lives are subject up to change.

So I challenge you today to learn His names, all of them.  There are so many and all of them have different meanings.  For God, or Jehovah, He's Jireh, Shaloam, and Nissi.  Jesus is the Lion of Judah, Root of David, Rose of Sharon, and Lamb of God.  Research them all and apply them to your worship.  When you learn His name, you'll eventually learn yours.

Prayer: Lord your name is greater than all others.  I love your name and everything it stands for.  Demons tremble at your name.  Sickness and sin are subjected to you.  I'll forever call on your holy name because You're the only person who can take care of me.  I'll prIze you forever, in Jesus name....Amen.