What is His Name?

Scripture:  Matthew 16:15-16 - He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Names are important. They identify a person, distinguishing one from another. I’ve had encounters with people who came up to me, started a conversation with me thinking I’m someone else because I have a strong resemblance to someone they know, and they thought I was that person. They address me by the other person’s name and I tell them my name to convince them that we don’t know each other, and that we’ve never met. Our names identify us as individuals. However, there is one name in which we are identified and are called as one.

He was there in the beginning for He always was. (John 1:3)
He participated in the creation of the heavens and the earth because He is God (Genesis 1:1)
The people He created sinned against Him and death came into the world separating us from Him. (Genesis 2: 15-17)
His coming to redeem us was planned before time began yet was foretold in time. (Genesis 3:15)
His prophets spoke the message He gave them to prepare the world for His first advent (2 Peter 1:21)
Many rejected and killed His prophets (Luke 11:47)
He is the King of kings (I Timothy 6: 15)
Yet He came as a righteous servant (Isaiah 42:1)
He was born without fanfare in a lowly stable (Luke 2:7)
His birth was announced by His angel to shepherds (Luke 2: 10-14)
He was crucified for our sins on a hill called Calvary (Luke 23:33)
He died, He was buried, and He rose again on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
His return is imminent (Titus 2:13)

What is his name? Matthew 16:15-16 Jesus discussed this with his disciples: “He saith unto them, but whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art the Christ, Son of the living God.” In Matthew 1:21 the angel of the Lord told Joseph, “And she shall bring forth a son, and shall call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Although there were many men named Jesus when Christ was on earth, this Jesus was not mistaken for another. His mother Mary, His brothers and sisters, His disciples, the scribes and Pharisees, the people he ministered to knew who Jesus was. We his followers know who He is. One day everyone will kneel before Him and confess Him (Philippians 2: 9-10).  His name is Jesus. And He’s coming back, so look up!

Dear Father, help us to live daily with the expectation of Your return. Forgive us for our sins and make us fit for Your kingdom. Your name is great, and we praise You. Thank You for giving us Your Son, our Lord Jesus -- the lover of our souls. Help us to remain on course no matter the trial or the test. Teach is to obey Your word always. Keep us, oh Lord. We worship, honor and praise You, for You alone are worthy. We pray this in the name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.

(by Juliana Thomas)