What’s in A Name?

Scripture: Philippians 2: 9 -11 – 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

“What’s in a name? “That which we call a rose. By any other name would smell as sweet.” In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Juliet argued that Romeo’s last name didn’t matter. She suggested that he just reject his family name. The idea was that what you call a thing or a person doesn’t matter. There are people who would have you reject the name of Jesus. There are some who may argue that Jesus is not important only God, the Father. However, Believers know that is not true. Believers know that Jesus is God (John 10:30). Believers know that the name Jesus has power. The Bible tells us that God has given Jesus a name above every name (Philippians 2:9). Believers know that there is power in the name of Jesus (Philippians 2:10). It is by the name of Jesus, that men, women, boys, and girls are saved (Acts 4:12). It is by the name of Jesus that Believers have become heirs to the throne of God (John 1:12). It is by the name of Jesus that we have been redeemed (Romans 10:13). Moreover, the name of Jesus can cause controversy. A person can say God and no one flinches but if he mentions Jesus, there is tension. This is because the name of Jesus makes it clear who you are following. It is by the name of Jesus that every knee shall bow. Also, there are many who will argue that because the Greek language didn’t have a symbol that represents J that the Bible or Jesus isn’t real and they would have you denounce the name. But whether you call Him, Jesus, Lord, or Yeshua the fact remains that He is Lord of Lord, King of Kings, the Great I am and the end result is that by His name you are saved, that His name carries chain breaking power (Gal 5:1), and that His name has been exalted above all names.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, thank you for Your Word that is so clear in letting us know who and what You are. It is because of Your Word that we know that You are the Prince of Peace, our Savior, our Deliver, our Lord. It is because of Your Word that we know that there is power in Your name and that we should not call You anything else in order to make others comfortable. Thank you, Lord for the saving power of Your name, for the forgiving power of Your name, and for the restoring power of Your name. In Your matchless name, I pray, Amen.

(by Patricia Towns)