For the Jewish people the giving of a name had great
importance. When a name was given it represented what that
person should be in the future. An unknown name meant that
someone could not be completely known
To not acknowledge
someone's name meant both denial of the person, destruction of
their personality, and change in their destiny. A person's name
expressed the reality of his or her being at its deepest level.
A Jewish child was named at the time of circumcision, eight
days after birth. This rite was instituted by God as an outward
sign to single out those who belonged to the chosen people. It
was a sign of the covenant that God made with Abraham and
his posterity.
In fulfillment of this precept, Mary's newborn child is given the
name Jesus on the eighth day according to the Jewish custom.
Joseph and Mary gave the name Jesus because that is the
name given by God's messenger before Jesus was conceived in
Mary's womb. This name signifies Jesus' identity and his
mission. The literal Hebrew means the Lord saves. Since God
alone can forgive sins, it is God who, in Jesus his eternal Son
made man will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).
In the birth and naming of this child we see the wondrous
design and plan of God in giving us a Savior who would bring
us grace, mercy, and freedom from the power of sin and the
fear of death.
The name Jesus signifies that the very name of
God is present in the person of his Son who became man for our
salvation. Peter the Apostle exclaimed that there is no other
name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be
saved (Acts 2:12). In the name of Jesus demons flee, cripples
walk, the blind see, the deaf hear, and the dead are raised. His
name is exalted far above every other name (Philippians
2:9-11). The name Jesus is at the heart of all Christian prayer.
It is through and in Jesus that we pray to the Father in the
power of the Holy Spirit. Many Christians have died with one
word on the lips, the name of Jesus.
Do you exalt the name of Jesus and pray with confidence in his
name?
"Lord Jesus Christ, I exalt your name above every other name.
For in you I have pardon, mercy, grace and victory over sin and
death. You humbled yourself for my sake and for the sake of all
sinners by sharing in our humanity and by dying on the cross.
Help me to always praise your holy name and to live for your
greater glory."