What's In A Name?

 What’s in a name? As a Christian, the name of Christ is huge in regards to our salvation. Acts 4:12, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Philippians 2:9-10, “God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” John 14:13, Luke 10:17, Romans 10:13, 1 Corinthians 6:11, just to name a few more!

Although we recognize the power in the name of Jesus even though we never met Him physically, many don’t see Him as anything--including the religious leaders in His time. They valued their own name more than the name of the Redeemer.

In the garden of Gethsemane, they seized their opportunity to finally arrest Him and try to erase His name from the people's lips. In reality, people had been whispering the name Messiah soon after the return from exile. They were looking for the one who would bear the name of God.

The hint of God’s powerful kingdom really began to take shape after Jacob left Laban’s homestead with his many wives and children. Their names also help us see something about the people involved in promoting this coming kingdom:

The sons of Leah: Reuben (“Behold, a Son”), Simeon (“God has heard”), Levi (“Joined in Harmony”), Judah (“Praise God”), Issachar (“Man of Reward”), and Zebulun (“A Dwelling Gift”)
The sons of Rachel: Joseph (“God will Add”), and Benjamin (“Son of my Right Hand”)
The sons of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid: Dan (“Judgment”), and Naphtali (“My Struggle”)
The sons of Zilpah, Leah's handmaid: Gad (“A Coming Troop”), and Asher (“Happy”)

Getting people to hear and believe the nature of God’s kingdom wasn’t easy (and still isn’t), but God didn’t quit. He stayed focused on his plan. His consistency helps us to have faith in Him. His example guides us closer to the truth and our purpose, as Paul stated in Titus 2:11-14, “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.”