[Speak the Name] the Name of JesusSample

Names Matter

What’s in a name? It’s a big question.

Maybe you have heard of the classic newspaper ad that read: “$50 reward. Lost dog. Black and tan dog. Poodle and German Shepherd mix. Missing left hind leg. Suffers from patches of baldness. Blind in one eye. Left ear was bitten off from a past dogfight. Answers to the name Lucky.” Sounds like that dog was anything but lucky!

What’s so important about a name? Do you know who Reginald Dwight is? Elton John. What about Jennifer Anastassakis? Jennifer Aniston. What about Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta? Lady Gaga. All right, how about Peter Gene Hernandez? Bruno Mars. Who is Eileen Regina Edwards? That’s Shania Twain. These are all celebrities who changed their names. Maybe their new name reflects an aspiration or their personality, or it’s all about marketing, to get a catchy, memorable name. For example, do you know who Thomas Mapother IV is? That’s Tom Cruise—Maverick himself. His name is actually Thomas Cruise Mapother IV.

People’s names matter. Your name is directly associated with your identity. That is why, when our boys were on their way, Kelly my wife, was looking at these name books, and we were contemplating and praying through different names. Names matter. They have meaning.

There is one name that needs no change and will never change. This name doesn’t even really need an introduction. It’s the most important name in all of creation. It is certainly the most important name to you and to me, whether we realize and embrace it, or not. This name is greater and higher than any other name. The name is Jesus.

Not only is His name Jesus’ identity, but it’s in His name that we find our identity. In Him, we find real, absolute, foundational truth. It’s in His name that we find authentic, abundant, victorious life. That life can be yours in the name of Jesus. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Him. You will never know true purpose, real value, absolute foundational truth, or abundant and eternal life apart from Jesus.

Lord Jesus, help me to find meaning, reason, and purpose in Your name.