Our names are so important. You can be in a crowded room and hear your name, and it cuts through. Some names became so famous that we don’t even need the whole name to know who they are. Especially at Christmas. There’s Santa, Scrooge, Rudolph, Frosty, and then there’s the Grinch.
There’s another name that can change our lives forever. It’s the name of Jesus. Jesus is the most important name in all of history. In the Bible, Jesus was called by many different names, like Wonderful, Counselor, Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father, Mighty God, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. But of all of His names, there’s no other name like the name of Jesus.
Jesus is called by His name 500 times in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. In the New Testament, the name “Jesus” is used 909 times. Where did the name “Jesus” come from? Was it just a name that Mary and Joseph found in a baby name book? Actually, no. Luke 1:26-33 tells us what happened:
Luke 1:26-33
God
sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named
Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King
David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is
with you!”
Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t
be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You
will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name Him JESUS. He will be
very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give
Him the throne of his ancestor David. And He will reign over Israel forever;
His Kingdom will never end!” Luke 1:26-33
The angel told Mary and Joseph to name their baby Jesus, because He was sent from God. What’s so special about the name of Jesus?
The Name of Jesus is:
A Simple Name
In Isaiah 8:1, God told Isaiah to name his son, Mahershalalhashbaz. The pharaoh of Egypt gave Joseph the name Zaph-
Kids can easily say the name of Jesus. In fact, last week, our volunteers had a Christmas Party in San Marcos. Lauren Simcik helped the kids with some Christmas crafts. While they were crafting, Lauren asked them, “What is your favorite thing about Christmas.” Enoch McFadden said, “All the presents I get to open!” That’s one of my favorite things about Christmas too. Then Mason Meredith said, “My favorite is making this Christmas ornament right now.” Then Pastor Chance’s daughter, Emily Endsley, said, “Celebrating Jesus’ Birth. Well, that’s not really my favorite part, I just felt like I should say it.”
That’s so funny! She knows that if you’re in church, the answer is always Jesus! By the way, when you face a real-life problem, the answer is usually Jesus too! Aren’t you glad the name of Jesus is such a simple name?
A Stirring Name
The name of Jesus is inspiring. Do you realize more songs have been written about Jesus than any other person in history? More books have been written about Jesus, more art has been made. Why is that? Because the name of Jesus stirs up something deep inside of every person.
Did you hear about the lady who named her child Squire Sebastian Senator? Her family and friends didn’t like that name, so she cancelled the baby shower. She said, “Squire Sebastian Senator is only his first name. No nicknames allowed. You have to call him by his whole full first name.” She said, “This name conveys power. It conveys wealth. It conveys success.” But my favorite part of what she said was: “My baby’s name WILL be a revolution.”
There was one truly revolutionary name that changed the whole world. That’s the name of Jesus. The birth of Jesus split history in two. Even for atheists, every time they write the year, when we move the calendar from 2018 to 2019, they are acknowledging the birth of Jesus.
A Surviving Name
The name of Jesus has lasted through all the years. It has survived all the attacks on it through history. In Psalm 135:13, it says,
Your name, O Lord, endures forever; your fame, O Lord, is known to every generation.
In 1966, John Lennon said in an interview that the Beatles were more popular than Jesus. He even said that rock and roll might outlast Christianity. But then the Beatles broke up and they lost their major fame. Today, Jesus is still as famous as ever. Nothing takes away his fame. It will survive and outlive every attack anyone can ever throw at Him. It’s new every generation.
A Spotless Name
The name of Jesus is unique. It’s stands apart and above every other name.
Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11
The name of Jesus is a name to be worshipped. The reason Jesus is such an important name is because Jesus lived a life that was different from every other person. Every person who has ever lived has sin in their lives. Think of the most perfect person you’ve known and even that person has sin. Sin means that we miss the mark that God has set for our lives. We fall short of that mark by doing the wrong things, or by not doing what we know we should. But there is only one person who ever lived without any sin. That person is Jesus. He lived a perfect life. That’s why we can say that Jesus’ name is holy and spotless.
A Saving Name
There is no other way to be saved than through Jesus.
There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
Even though there are many names of different religious leaders through history. Not one of those leaders lived a sinless life, and died on a cross, and rose again to defeat death. Only Jesus did that. That’s why Jesus is the only one who can save us. Some people might say, “Well, isn’t that closed minded? Aren’t there many different ways to know God? Aren’t there many paths that can get you to heaven?” Many people have a problem with this idea because we live in world of choices. Even though you have a lot of choices when it comes to what you believe, when it all comes down to it, there is only one way to be forgiven of your sin and for your heart to change, and to become part of God’s forever family.
Salvation is a free gift that comes from Jesus. But it’s only useful when you unwrap it. When you accept it and trust in Jesus with your whole heart. Then, Jesus changes your heart from the inside out.
Jesus! What a beautiful and powerful name it is!