What’s in a name?

I think that most people will of heard of a Mr William Shakespeare. Well, in ‘Romeo & Juliet’ is a beautiful line: “What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” (act 2 scene 2… in case you are curious :o).
I love how poetic this line is and how deep it is. It also made think about what a name is.

I remember before Hannah (my niece) was born Ruth and Andrew were trying to pick a middle name for her [her first name was sorted ages ago]. There’s a lot of responsibility in choosing a name for someone.

Name adjective–noun A word or a combination of words by which a person…is designated, called, or known.

Each person has a name, a word by which we are ‘known’. It's mad when you think about it; our name, in its simplest way, is our identity, it tells people who we are. However, while our name can’t define us it does give us an identity; our name in full [surname included] tells people our origin, such as who our parents are. I even recall reading about a study which said that children with particular names are more likely to be high earners in later life – how mad is that!

So without a name, who are we?
“You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.” (Luke 1:31) I looked up the meaning of the name Jesus and in the Hebrew it means ‘God Rescues’. From this I can understand why the angel gave Mary this name for her son! His name, the name he came to earth with [defined by our Heavenly Father] means that he is our Lord and saviour.
However there is far more to his name than that.
“You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:14)
When we pray whose name do pray with? Whose name gives us the authority to talk directly to the Father? Jesus! What a mighty name it is. What power that name brings; just saying it out loud stirs up boldness and victory. That’s what we have in his name – victory. Victory over death, illness, suffering and oppression.

“In his name the nations will put their hope." (Matt 12:21)

Thank You Jesus!

-Helen Tuckwell