December 20, 2010: Names
Scripture: Luke 1:31
And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
Devotion:
In this final week before Christmas, I want to look at some gifts that God gives us through Jesus. Today I’ll look at names, later I’ll look at peace and comfort, redemption, joy, fulfillment, and finally new beginnings.
In Biblical times, names meant much more than they seem to do now. God gives the first man and woman their names and names define the nature and character of the individual. The Old Testament gives us many names for God – Jehovah, Lord Almighty, The Lord Our Banner, and many more. It seems that no one name can capture the essence of God.
Through Jesus, we are restored in our relationship with God. Through Jesus, we are given a new name that defines our nature and character, at least as God sees us. That name is “Beloved”. No matter what our name was, or what it meant, whether we live up to it or not, God calls us “Beloved” when He looks at us because of Jesus.
And it is nice to know that Jesus calls us “Friend”.
Have you ever looked at what your name means? Do you realize that you ARE God’s beloved? How does that feel?
God, You allowed Adam to name the animals and plants. You have set the stage for names that mean something and You have called us “Beloved” when You see us through Your Son. Thank You for this gift and in Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen!
Wonderful.