MOIRAJO
  • Weekly Devotionals
  • Weekly Message
  • Sermon Podcasts
  • Links
  • Contact

The Power in a Name - March 26, 2017

3/26/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
"Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, Philippians 2:9"
Listen: Alvin Slaughter, "Power in the Name of Jesus"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KmPtxizDfA

This week we attended a bible study on the names and title of Jesus. There are easily over 100 different names and titles for Jesus. Why so many?       

Think back on your own naming.  Most of us have been named after someone esteemed, admired, loved in our family or by our parents.  Or our names reflect a quality that is desired -- or a creative combination denoting success, love or a auspicious future. Great thought is given to names, because they symbolize who we are, and carry us through our lives.  In the Bible, names are taken very seriously; they convey power and blessing.  In some cultures, a person's real name is kept secret, only disclosed to an few intimate people -- a "use" name is given for everyday conversation. Thus is the power of naming.  It is not surprising that the Second Commandment tells us "Thou shall not take the Lord's name in vain," and Jesus teaches us to pray, "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name." One of the first gifts God gave humankind was the power to name animals -- and have dominion over the earth.
  
My name is Moira because my grandmother loved the ballet dancer/actress Moira Shearer, and particularly the movie, "The Red Shoes."  So she picked out the name for her only granddaughter. In turn, when I was at a significant change in my life, I changed my surname to "Ahearne," my grandmother's birth name, to honor her and reclaim her loving presence in my life.  This kind of renaming happens, especially in cultures that mark lifechanges. Even in the Bible, God renames Abram and Sarai to Abraham and Sarah.  Saul is renamed Paul.  Simon is renamed Peter to name a few.

Jesus has many names because he meant so many things to different people. There is no way to capture who he is and what he does for us. But if we explore the names and titles given through the ages, we get a sense of connection to Jesus, his glory, mercy and power,  and to our ancestors in faith.  

Also important to remember is that scripture promises that we will receive a new name (Rev. 2:17) that "no one understands but the one who receives it."  All the names and titles we have accumulated through life will pale in light of the name God gives us.  God calls us by name -- a new name that has nothing to do with who we were, what we did, what we think of ourselves -- but a name based on God's love and vision for our life.  

This week in Lent, look at this brief list of names and titles for Jesus.  Which ones speak to you -- and why?  
What name do you have for God?  
What is God's name for you?

Chief Cornerstone:(Ephesians 2:20) 
Firstborn over all creation:(Colossians 1:15)
Head of the Church:(Ephesians 1:22;4:15;5:23) 
Holy One:(Acts 3:14;Psalm 16:10) 
Judge:(Acts 10:42;2 Timothy 4:8)
King of kings and Lord of lords:(1 Timothy 6:15;Revelation 19:16) 
Light of the World:(John 8:12) 
Prince of peace:(Isaiah 9:6) 
Son of God:(Luke 1:35;John 1:49) 
Son of man:(John 5:27)
Word made Flesh:(John 1:1;1 John 5:7-8) 
Word of Life:(1 John 1:1).
Alpha and Omega:(Revelation 1:8;22:13) 
Emmanuel:(Isaiah 9:6;Matthew 1:23) – Literally “God with us.” 
I Am:(John 8:58, withExodus 3:14)
Author and Perfecter of our Faith:(Hebrews 12:2) –  (Ephesians 2:8-9) 
Bread of Life:(John 6:35;6:48) 
Bridegroom:(Matthew 9:15)
Deliverer:(Romans 11:26) 
Good Shepherd:(John 10:11,14) 
High Priest:(Hebrews 2:17) 
Lamb of God:(John 1:29) 
Mediator:(1 Timothy 2:5) 
Rock:(1 Corinthians 10:4)
Resurrection and Life:(John 11:25) 
Savior:(Matthew 1:21;Luke 2:11)
True Vine:(John 15:1) 
Way, Truth, Life:(John 14:6) 


Pray:  "Name beyond all Names, this Lent, reveal to me my true name, my true identity that you have selected for me."

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Moirajo is a minister, social worker, wife, mother, writer and animal lover. That's just for starters. Join the story, there's so much we can share together! 

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    June 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015

    Categories

    All

    Bible,  Living life on life's terms, spirituality

    RSS Feed

© Moira Ahearne 2017. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.