A Name Like No Other

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

Have you ever received a personalized gift with your name on it and what your name means? I have a few cups that were given to me like that, and interestingly, my name doesn’t mean the same thing to different companies. I also find it interesting that when you are looking at things like that, you never see anything negative about a name. Everyone’s name means something good. 

In Bible days, naming a child was a major event. The Hebrew family took great pains when selecting a name. Sometimes the name had a personal meaning to the parents. One such example is Leah. When her fourth child was born, she named him Judah, saying, “This time I will praise the Lord” [Genesis 29:35 — the first three children were given names in lament]. Occasionally, the child was given a name that, later, turned out to be a personality trait. Think about the name Jacob. It means, one who supplants [Genesis 25:26].

Mary and Joseph had a vastly different experience. They did not choose their Son’s name. His name was given to them by an angel. It was a name that the the heavenly Father selected; one that would represent His purpose in coming to earth. And, a day will come when every person, in every nation, in every language will mention His name on bended knee [Philippians 2:10].

What was that name? Jesus, meaning, salvation, or, He saves. He is called many things in Scripture: Lord Immanuel, Teacher, Messiah, et al. But it is His name that tells the story. He came as a Savior, “He will save His people from their sins” [Matthew 1:21]. Is it any wonder that God gave Him a name above all names!

Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11