Understanding What's in a NameSample

What a Difference a Name Makes

Names are important. Yesterday we read Solomon’s words, "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold." (Proverbs 22:1) He understood that a name represents a person’s character–which represents a world of wealth. Solomon also said, "A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of one’s birth." (Ecclesiastes 7:1) This isn’t as morbid as it sounds. When someone is born, we don’t know anything about them–who they’ll be, what they’ll accomplish. But as they live life, they increasingly manifest and personify the name they’ve been given, and that name takes on the tangibility of achievement. If you have kids, they’ve probably done things and become things you never suspected they would on the day you held them for the first time. If you knew your grandparents, consider the legacy and the wealth of experience they left behind, and how their names gave credence to all their achievements and accomplishments.

Jesus wanted His disciples to understand who He was and all that His name represented. In Matthew 16:13–17, Jesus asks them what other people were saying about Him, and then He asks, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter has the profound, God-given revelation that Jesus is the Messiah. It’s a further fleshing-out of the name of Jesus. Up to now, He’s been Jesus of Nazareth. Now He’s Jesus the Christ, divinely appointed and anointed. This name changes the disciples’ relationship with Jesus. It reveals Jesus’ resources and authority. Given their amplified appreciation of the name of Jesus, the disciples would’ve suddenly understood His assurance in John 14:13–14: "You can ask for anything in My name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father…"

It becomes evident that Peter understands what a difference a name makes when, later, he’s hauled before the Sanhedrin for declaring the resurrection of Jesus, and he boldly testifies, "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) Peter knew that even though Jesus was wrongfully executed, God had a plan to raise Jesus from the dead and offer eternal life to those who called on His name. It’s a wondrous moment for us too when we realize Jesus’ name carries divine significance and is more than just a swear word or the answer to every Sunday school question.

Names make a difference. Your name makes a difference. May you determine to live in the fullness of the potential embedded in the life you’ve been given, so that with each passing year your name takes on more and more God-glorifying credibility–mostly because you’re known for unashamedly calling on the name of Jesus.