What’s in a name?
When the Bible was written, names conveyed a great deal more meaning than they do today. The Israelites often chose names for their babies based on a variety of different factors, such as the character or appearance of the child—such as Esau (hairy). Some names were chosen based on a prayer of the parent—such as Zechariah (God has remembered). Other names were given which identified objects in creation—such as Tamar (palm tree) and Tabitha (gazelle). Still other names were given to identify the time of day they were born—such as Shaharaim (dawn) and Hodesh (new moon).
Jesus was named prophetically: “You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20-23). Throughout the Scriptures we find hundreds of appellations for Him that serve as divine descriptions of both His character and His calling. Here are just a few.
Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8)
Bread of Life (John 6:35)
Bridegroom (Matthew 9:15)
Chief Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20)
Firstborn over all creation (Colossians 1:15)
God (John 20:28)
Good Shepherd (John 10:14)
Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14)
Holy One (Acts 3:14)
Lamb of God (John 1:29)
Lord of lords (Revelations 19:16)
Messiah (John 4:25-26)
Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6)
Our Redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30)
Resurrection and Life (John 11:25)
Righteous One (Acts 7:52)
Rock (1 Corinthians 10:4)
Savior (Ephesians 5:23)
True Vine (John 15:1)
Way (John 14:6)
Word (John 1:1)
These are just a few of the names and titles that tell us much about our Savior and King. Yet there is one other that I would like to sharpen our focus on today: EMMANUEL—God with us! As a pastor, I find that this time of the year is quite difficult for a great many people, for a variety of reasons. A loss of a loved one is especially painful at this time of the year. Fifteen years ago I received a phone call on Christmas Day that told me my father had just died. For many people the Christmas season brings back childhood memories of a far better past than their bitter present, which is now marked by disappointment, disillusionment, and defeat.
I don’t know where this finds you. I don’t know the pain of your past, yet I know there is pain for every one of us, because we are all broken people living in a broken world with other broken people.
I pray this word today will provide great comfort for you as we approach Christmas Day. Emmanuel is with you and has been with you from before the foundation of the world. He is with you in your pain and your pleasure. He is with you in your failure and your victory. He is with you in your sickness and your health. The Holy One, the King of kings and lord of lords, is with you now and will be forever. “For he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5).
Use your eyes of faith to go back down to Bethlehem; join the company of weary, wandering shepherds and see this little baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Marvel at this God-man, who would enter a sin-stained world that would one day crucify Him . . . who came on a rescue mission for you! You are so precious to Him that He gave His all for you. In fact, you are the object of His greatest desire!
May this truth fill your heart this Christmas season, and may it encourage and empower you to press on into the perfect plan and purpose Emmanuel has for you. He is with you now, and one day you will be with Him forevermore.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 