Understanding What's in a NameSample

The Name of Jesus

We all have multiple roles and functions in our families and wider communities, and people very often relate to us in terms of the role we play in their lives. To some people in your life, perhaps you’re simply Mum or Dad and nothing more. To others, you’re boss, or client. We do the same to others, assessing their identity based on the role they play in relation to us. Jesus has numerous different names and roles, and the more we understand these, the better we’re able to know Him and make Him known.

Jesus is called many different things throughout scripture. Each of His names has slightly different connotations and helps us relate to Him more fully, and worship Him more wholeheartedly. As we’ve seen, God elevated Jesus above all creation, and there is no name higher than the name of Jesus. If you need God’s resources, and you need Him to come through for you with decisive authority, take comfort from the truth that He is matchless in power.

In Acts 3, we read about Peter and John heading to the temple where they meet a man who has been crippled all his life and makes his living begging from passersby. He asks Peter and John for a handout too. Peter turns to him and says, "I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!" (Acts 3:6) The man is healed. Everyone’s thrilled and amazed, so Peter seizes the opportunity to deflect the glory to God (Acts 3:12–16). He wants the people to understand that Jesus’ name doesn’t work like a magic spell, and that the man isn’t healed because of Peter and John’s power and holiness. It’s all God’s work, and it’s all for God’s glory.

As we grow in our understanding of the sovereignty and authority encapsulated in the name of Jesus, and as we call on His name by faith, it will change the way we do life. Jesus–name above all names–came to bring us abundant life (John 10:10). May we live in the depth and breadth of our God-given potential, so that when people hear our names it reminds them of Jesus’ name. And may we be God-honoring ambassadors of the Kingdom as we demonstrate Jesus’ character to a watching world.

This plan was adapted from the series, Understanding What’s in a Name, on RightNow Media. To find out more, visit: https://www.rightnowmedia.org/uk/get-access