Name Above All Names

(This is a repost from March 22, 2022.)

 Shakespeare wrote "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet."  I am not quite convinced (like Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables) that a rose would smell quite as beautiful if it were called a thistle or a skunkcabbage. 😆
    When we name our children, we often think long and hard about what this child will be called for the rest of their lives.  Perhaps it is a beloved relative's name, or the name of a special person or place.  Often we research the meanings and choose one that reflects a positive image or message.  Maybe we just like the way the name sounds when combined with a middle or last name.  
    Depending on who you read, there are somewhere between 200 to 350 (possibly more) different names for Jesus in the Bible!  What we must understand is in the Hebrew culture of Biblical times, names were much more than just a title.  Names conveyed a description of who or what that person was.  For example, Naomi (meaning "pleasant") changed her name to Mara ( meaning "bitter") because she felt it was a more accurate description of who she was.  I read that some names were felt to be prophetic or even hold some power over a person.  It was a much more intense and dramatic event to name your child in that culture than it is for most in our culture today.  
    So, why so many different names for Jesus?  Because our human minds cannot fully comprehend all of who Jesus is, but in the Bible He is revealed to us.  Each of these names reveals to us a characteristic, or piece of who He is.  The more we know about Jesus, the more our hearts are led to worship and adore Him.  We will understand more about ourselves in relation to Him.

    And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.

I Corinthians 3:18

    As we understand more of who our Jesus is, we will become transformed into His same image!  Oh, I want to be more like Jesus!  Do you?  Let's learn more about who He is and He will take care of changing us into His likeness!  Isn't that amazing?

    Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

Philippians 2:9-11

    Jesus is the name before whom all creation will bow.  He holds the place of supreme authority over the universe.  He will receive the all the praise.  He alone is worthy! This is just one more reason to look into some of the names that comprise His existence and character.  Who is this Jesus that we are worshipping, and before whom every part of creation will worship?
    This is exciting for me, and I hope that you will find it just as inspiring.  I hope you will even look into the names of Jesus more on your own and find joy in learning about who and what He is!

💓 Heather Sparks💓