What is in a name? Names are important. In fact, in the Bible they were so important people named their children to reflect character or God would give instructions for the name to symbolize a prophecy he wanted to give Isreal as in the book of Hosea. At times God or Jesus would change a person’s name to celebrate the relationship they had with them. So, are names important?
In Shakespeare’s, Romeo and Juliet, Juliet says, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet.” In this tale of star-crossed lovers from feuding families, Juliet explains to Romeo she loves the person not the name and so it was meaningless to her.
However, names do carry a great deal of meaning.
The first name is the initial impression we have of a person.
Even without meeting them, we immediately start to make assumptions about the person whether we realize it or not.
We gather information from their first name. Some names are more popular in different decades and might indicate the age of a person. Sometimes, you can tell whether a person is a male or female and often the country form which they come, which might suggest cultural and faith beliefs.
When we are born we also receive a last name.
It reveals the family to whom we belong. I was born in to the Walker family. However, my biological father and mother divorced when I was a baby. My biological father eventually remarried and had several more children besides my older brother and me. Which means, I have siblings I have never met.
As strange as it sounds, even though we share DNA, I probably would not know my half brothers and sister if I saw them on the street. Well, I might know my half sister because we have become friends on Facebook but have never met face to face.
My mother remarried and my stepfather adopted me and gave me his name and I have a younger brother from my mother’s second marriage. My adopted last name reflected that I belonged in a new family with different customs and traditions.
After I married, I had the honor of accepting my husband’s last name.
With his name, I have become part of his family along with their traditions. My new last name symbolized that I belong to my beautiful man and he belongs to me. When we entered into a marriage covenant with God, I took my husband’s name as a symbol of my coming under his covering, provision, and protection.
From the time of our marriage forward, my life became a reflection on his character and his on mine. When people see me, they see him also and vice versa. We are one. Our reputations became fused together forever.
Marriage is a picture of our covenant relationship with God through faith in Christ.
When we repent of our sins and make the decision to follow Christ, we take His name of Christian. We agree to come under His covering and protection. Our reputation becomes fused together with Jesus’. Hopefully, when people see us they see Him also. Additionally, when God sees you He sees His Son, Jesus, and the blood He shed to pay the penalty for your sins.
Because of our covenant relationship with Christ, when we have to stand before the Judgement seat of God, Jesus will step forward and say, “There is no penalty. I have already paid for their sins.” We come under His protection and provision as His Beloved.
There is power of Jesus’ name.
John 14:13-14 (NLT)
13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!
In John 14:13, John the Disciple speaks of asking God for anything in Jesus’ name and He will answer. Does this mean we will get anything we want if we just invoke the name of Jesus? Is God saying Jesus is a big ol’ genie in the sky that we only have to rub His Name like a magic lamp and God will grant our wishes? Heavens no! That is not what it means at all.
As God would have it, while I was working on this post, my pastor preached on Acts 19 last Sunday.
In Acts 19:11-17, Luke writes about the seven sons of the Jewish priest, Sceva. They see the Apostle Paul healing and casting out demons in Jesus’ name. So, they try to do the same without having any faith in Jesus as the Son of God. It didn’t turn out so well for them. It’s kind of a funny story. In verse 16 the demonic man overtakes them, beats them and sends them out naked and bleeding. It’s good reading and a good lesson for us as well. Take a look at it sometime.
God agrees to answer our prayers because of our faith in His Son, Jesus. We need to ask according to Jesus’ nature, His character, and because of the faith we have in Him. We need to know who He is, truly know Him, through His word. Then, we will desire what He desires. When we align our prayers with Jesus, then and only then, will God listen and answer and in doing so, be glorified through His Son. Our prayers will be for His Kingdom not our own, for His glory, not our own.
So, what is in a name? Everything…if it is His Name, THE Name above all names, Jesus.
I’ve attached a download for you with the Names of Jesus from the Bible. There is power in His name. Spend some time thinking about the names of Jesus and thanking Him for who He is. For example when worries weigh me down, I thank Him for being my Prince of Peace or when I need wisdom I praise Him for being my wonderful counselor, etc. I hope this enhances your prayer life.
What is in a name?
Ask God, in Jesus’ Name. He will answer. I pray for you all daily, in Jesus’ name.
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