I looked online to find the top baby names of 2010. There are a lot of “top 100” lists of baby names --- but the problem is that they don’t agree with each other! Since there is no agreement, I compiled five names that are frequently seen at the top of the 2010 lists for our country: 5 of those names are: Ethan, Jacob, Noah, Aiden and Logan. Want to take a guess what name was #79 on one of the lists? JESUS!
The name “Jesus” is the name that God chose to give His Son. It is not only a meaningful name, but it has a significant impact on every aspect of your life in Christ. Today we will study the Name of Jesus as we begin a new series on the Life of Christ. Here is what the angel told Joseph:
Matthew 1:20-21 But as [Joseph] considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
The most important thing about the Name of Jesus is its meaning. The name “Jesus” means “Savior”; of course it’s fitting since He is the One God sent to earn your salvation! After His work of salvation, His death and resurrection, here is how the Bible talks about the Name of Jesus:
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:12
God named His Son “Jesus” to show you His mercy and grace. Think about it for a minute:
• Aren’t you glad that God did not choose the name “Krino” for His Son? That name would mean “condemned.”
• Or “Horge” which means “wrath”
• Or what if God would have named His Son “Thanatos” which mean death?
God named His Son “Jesus” to show you His mercy and grace.
You see, when God the Father chose the name “Jesus” for His Son, He was telling every creature in the universe, in one word, that His goal was the redemption and salvation of mankind. God the Father was sending a message to every single person that said, "I have not forgotten you, nor forsaken you. I love you and I have sent someone special for you: Jesus, and He is your Savior.”
When you consider the Name of Jesus, and that He is your Savior, it soon becomes apparent that His Name has a huge impact on everything that you do as a Christian. You might not even realize the significance that the Name of Jesus has on you. Let me list a few things for you:
HOLY BAPTISM
It starts in Holy Baptism, where God puts His Name on you, including the Name of Jesus.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19
After Holy Baptism, you are even called a “Christian”, because you belong to Christ, and the Name of Jesus has been put on you you in Holy Baptism.
LORD’S PRAYER We pray each week In the Lord’s prayer that His Name will be holy among us. We ask God to
Hallowed be Thy name. What does this mean?-
God’s name is indeed holy in itself; but we pray in this petition that it may become holy among us also.
How is this done?
When the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we as the children of God also lead holy lives in accordance with it. To this end help us, dear Father in heaven. But he that teaches and lives otherwise than God’s Word teaches profanes the name of God among us. From this preserve us, Heavenly Father.
When you hear and study God’s Word, you are honoring the Name of Jesus in your life. You ask for this every time you pray the Lord’s Prayer.
SECOND COMMANDMENT In the Second Commandment, we are taught how to use the Name of Jesus properly
The Second Commandment.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord, thy God, in vain.
What does this mean?--Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may not curse, swear, use witchcraft, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.
When you pray, praise and give thanks, then you are speaking the Name of Jesus in a God pleasing manner, as God commands you to do in the 2nd Commandment.
VOCATION
Your work is your “calling” from God; He has given you gifts, talents and abilities to serve Him in all the various areas of your life, and the Name of Jesus is right there in the middle of your vocation.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
In your vocations; at home, in society, in your family --- in all the various areas of your life --- you do it in the Name of Jesus.
PRAYER
The only way we can approach a holy God is through the Righteousness of Jesus Christ which has been credited to you through faith. When we pray “in the Name of Jesus,” we are remembering that.
Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:24
Our prayers are acceptable to God “in the Name of Jesus” --- That’s why we close our prayers “in the Name of Jesus, Amen!”
END TIMES
One of the signs of the end times is that false teachers will misuse the Name of Jesus, by teaching false doctrines that will deceive and mislead many people.
Jesus said to them: "Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, ’I am he,’ and will deceive many. Mark 13:5-6
We study God’s Word in order to honor His Name and protect ourselves and our families from these false teachers, who deceive many people “in the name of Jesus.”
LAST DAY
Finally, on the Last Day, every knee will bow before Jesus and confess His Name as the Savior of the world.
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11
The Name of Jesus forms and shapes our life in Christ --- from first to last and into eternity.
Not only did God name His Son “Jesus” to show us His grace and mercy, but He has put the Name of Jesus into every aspect of our lives.
MAY YOU LIVE EACH DAY BY THE GRACE AND THE POWER OF THE NAME OF JESUS!
Amen!
