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Friday (Day 13)

VERSES: Luke 1:13, 1:31 & 1:57-66

Why were you given the name you were given? My parents named me with a combination of a family name and a name that they liked. We did something similar with my son. Sometimes families will adopt the surname of the wife’s family and use it as a first or middle name of their child to honor their family legacy. Sometimes we name our children after someone famous that has had an impact on our lives. Our culture and family traditions influence what we name our children.

In the first chapter of Luke’s Gospel, we see that the names for both John and Jesus came from heaven (not earth). The angel directed Zechariah to name his son John, and the same angel directed Mary to name her son Jesus. So what is in these names?

The name John means “The LORD is gracious” and the name Jesus means “God saves.” Interestingly enough, the titles of these two men help us understand more of their role in God’s plan. “The Baptist” (John’s descriptive title) talks of the role he played in calling people to be cleansed before God and turn to Him. “Christ” is a Greek rendering of the Hebrew “Messiah,” the promised One who would come and be the savior of the world.

The names of both John and Jesus are important. That is why when John is eventually born, in Luke 1:57-66, his mom and dad insist on his being named John. They were faithful to be obedient to the naming of their child, even if it went against the expectations of their neighbors.

God is honored always when we obey Him. But when we obey Him even though it might be seen as odd by the watching world around us, I think God is extra honored. That is why Zechariah is rewarded with the return of his speaking ability after he follows through with faithfully obeying God in the naming of his son.

Are you honoring God by being obedient to His direction in His Word today? Most of us have not been given a name for our children by God Himself, but God in His Word is calling all of us to obedience in many areas of life. Will you obey Him even if it means looking odd to those around you?