It’s All in a Name!

by Debra, Debbie, Patchen

You will become pregnant, give birth to a son, and name him Jesus. Luke 1:31 GW

The time is coming’—God’s Decree—‘when I will keep the promise I made to the families of Israel and Judah. … He will run this country honestly and fairly. He will set things right. Jeremiah 33:14 MSG

 A child will be born for us. A son will be given to us. Isaiah 9:6a GW

What is Luke 1:31 quoting? Why, Old Testament prophecy!

This is the chosen time! And Scripture tells what the Son of God will be known as — the sweet name of Jesus.

Naming a child has always been important. That name becomes the future identity of the child who receives it.

When I was born, my parents picked out a trending name for me, Debra. But it means a bee! My nickname became Debbie, a name I did not like.

To me it meant, “Honey, you who sting!” Debbee felt bitter and sour, if not shameful!

As I went through life, I came to think that my name might be true of my character.

Here’s why. I pierced the heart of Jesus with the things I did wrong. I stung Him with my words and I hurt him with my actions.

In my sinful condition, I desperately needed a Savior. But God in His unending grace already had everything covered.

Naming a child in Bible times was somewhat different than it is in our day. The Hebrew (Israeli) people called each person with a single name. Then they added the father’s or grandfather’s name. The movie Ben-Hur is a great example. The main character is Judah Ben-Hur. Judah (first name) Ben (son of) Hur. Names revealed a great deal of information back then.

And for God, not just any name would do when it came to His beloved Son, the Firstborn of all creation.

In fulfillment of prophecy, God commanded (before the child was even conceived) that His son would be named Yeh-SHU-ah, meaning Jesus.

Jesus is a name that contains the promise of salvation. That means salvation from hell, yes, but also healing, preserving, protecting, and prospering.

Not only did He take away our judgment of being guilty (Romans 1:8), but He also brought you over to God’s side and put your lives together! (Colossians 1:22)

Jesus did it all! The only thing you have to do is believe God’s Word!

Not only will He save you from eternal hell when your body dies, He has the power to save marriages where love no longer exists. He has the power to save a drunkard. He can save a war veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder. He can save the woman addicted to drugs (prescription or otherwise). He can save the prostitute and the homeless wanderer. There is no one too bad or too far gone for God’s reach.

Oh my dear, He can save you from ________.

I promise!