New Day, New Year, and New Beginnings - 31 Days of Fresh StartsSample

Your New Name...

When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!”
John 19:26

Most Biblical scholars agree—the disciple that is noted in John’s gospel as the disciple whom He loved is none other than John himself.

This young man, along with his brother James, must have had Jesus on His toes. They were brash, headstrong, and arrogant. Together, they asked Him if they could bring fire down to consume the Samaritans who weren’t receptive to the gospel (Luke 9:54). They were the entitled crew that audaciously asked Jesus to grant them leading roles when He entered His kingdom (Mark 10:35-37). Matthew records that it was their mother who asked as well for this unfathomable honor. Talk about some generational tendencies occurring!

Jesus had a fitting name for these two rascals: Sons of Thunder. I am sure it was with a bit of tongue-in-cheek good humor here, but it also rang true by all accounts.

Yet, that all changed. Jesus transformed these men’s lives completely. He changed their vocation of fishing into something new—fishing for men. Their entitled, me-first attitude was broken, as evidenced when the Savior requested from the cross that John take care of His mother, and James was martyred at the hands of Herod (John 19:26, Acts 12:2).

With a new change in life, a new name came too. I think the same can be true for us as well. John knew Himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved. So, what might Jesus say is your new name? What is the banner He sees emblazoned over your life? Because we’re told we have one (Revelation 3:12)

Ask Him today what He calls you. He will answer. You will be encouraged as you take steps forward into something new. I promise.