And his name will be the hope of all the world. Matt 12:21 (NLT)
Is a person different by the name they carry? Does it make them a different person if they change their name? As Shakespeare has suggested in the epic ‘Romeo and Juliet’, “What’s in a name…?” People shouldn’t be hated just because of the name they wear or carry. Should a person's name make that much difference?
But that’s the thing with names… they’re not a title or a label… they’re not disposable or easily ignored. Names carry much weight. There’s a reason why if you’ve been hurt by someone named “Gary” that you may not particularly like other people named Gary, or name your son Gary (nothing against Gary’s… we love Garys). Names carry our associated emotions, feelings and beliefs about ourselves, people, places, times… you NAME it…
Some names cover their owners with shame… maybe your parent was a tyrant and people associate you with them because you carry their name. Or perhaps your parent/spouse/friend has a great NAME around town and mentioning it gets you into places you otherwise wouldn’t be able. And then some of us feel like we can’t live up to our name, some us feel like we soar above them; we change our names to change our life, and then change them back if life changes too much…
Even though sometimes it’s not right or fair, there is much in a name.
And the name of Jesus is no exception.
At Christmas, all sorts of emotions are high – excitement, love, generosity, family, loneliness, depression, hopelessness, joy, peace, struggle, strife… But to celebrate Jesus is to celebrate the NAME above all… The name that cancels our shame and regret, a name that gets us into places we wouldn’t normally be able to go, a name that heals and comforts, restores and settles…
The name that is HOPE itself and brings redemption, dignity, hope, purpose and more to our own name.
Isa 9:6 prophesied of Jesus “And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace…”
The name of Jesus calls you out from under the limitations of labels and titles, hurt and shame, and even success and fortune… To see a name written across your life and the world that invokes peace, provides wisdom, holds us up with a strength you’ve never seen and endures through all…
Jesus. The name of HOPE.
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