She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21)
In the ancient world (and in some cultures today), the name given to a new born baby meant something more than a word in which to call the child. For the Israelite baby, receiving a name was the first significant and important experience in life. The Hebrew parents would give to the child the particular name for a variety of reasons: to describe their future “hopes” for the child; to paint a picture of the child’s personality; to commemorate an event close to the time of birth; a family name passed down from previous generations; a prophetic revelation of the destiny of the child. And in God’s perfect providence, many children would live up to their names. Here are the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Name Meaning
- Reuben “Look, a son!”
- Simeon “One who hears”
- Levi “Being attached”
- Judah “Praise”
- Dan “To judge”
- Naphtali “My struggle”
- Gad “Good fortune”
- Asher “Happy”
- Issachar “Reward”
- Zebulun “Honor”
- Joseph “May he add”
- Benjamin “Sone of my right hand”
God was also personally involved in the “Name Game.” When God promised Abram that he would father many nations, outnumbering the stars in the sky and the sand on the sea shore, he renamed him “Abraham.” God sent an angel of the Lord to Joseph in a dream telling him what to name the baby the virgin Mary was carrying in her womb, Jesus, because he would save his people from their sins.
My name given at birth was “Thomas” meaning “twin.” My name was given to me not because I was a twin, but rather, my parents wanted to pass down my father’s name to me. Over a decade ago, God gave me a brother in the Lord who I call my twin . . . not because we have the same name (his name is Rick) of same mother, but because we have the same God who gave us the same heartbeat for Jesus and each other in our service to our Lord. Now I don’t know what your name is by birth, but what I do know is what your new name is by second birth . . . CHRISTIAN . . . which means “FOLLOWER OF CHRIST!” You received that name when you placed your trust in our Lord Jesus Christ, by grace through faith.
So, the question is this – “Are you living up to your new name?” Now I am not suggesting any of us can live up to the name “CHRISTIAN” perfectly, but we are to be living up to our name progressively. That is what is known as the process of sanctification. The same grace that saves us is the same grace that sanctifies us – making us more and more like Christ each day. Remember, He who began a good work in you and gave to you your new name, will one day soon, bring it to completion when you are brought home into glory (Philippians 1:6). Knowing what your new name in Christ means, can you prayerfully consider any changes you need to make in your life today, to more reflect who you truly are? God is ready, willing, and able if you are.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 