The Name Above Every Name!

In Biblical times names were given to children and to adults for a reason. The name usually conveyed a certain characteristic about the person, and sometimes it even influenced the person to live up to the name’s meaning. This custom, or tradition, is still practiced in Latin America and in other third world countries. For instance, the name Blanca is given to Latin girls who have a fair complexion, because it is taken from the word Blanco; meaning white. Also in countries where royalty still exists, children and adults have to behave in a way that is befitting to the family’s name. Most recently in England, the royal boys married two common girls; we all remember the queen’s furious criticism of the new brides due to their behavior, which was not befitting to the royal name. I know some very funny stories of names and how they do not apply to, or fit the individual named. I knew an Aramaic man whose name was Sadik (meaning truthful) but he lied all the time. I knew an Arabic guy named Jamil (meaning handsome), but he was very homely looking. Do you remember honest Abe?

Let us check some names from the Biblical times, starting with Adam (Adama in Hebrew means earth), and Eve (Hhawa means mother of living things). Eve was the mother of all humans. God gave the name Abraham to Abram (Abraham means a friend) because God considered him His friend. When Sarah was told that she would conceive at age ninety, she laughed. That is why her son was named laughter, or in Hebrew, Isaac. Jacob grabbed his brother’s heel at birth, so he was named Heely or Jacob (Yacob). Remember when Jesus met Simon, He changed his name to Peter so that he would toughen up like a rock (in Greek Petro). Last but not least is Soul of Tarsus. He was very tough, heartless, proud, and of the upper echelon of his day. When Jesus met him, He changed his name to Paul, which means little or least in the Semitic language (Bulous). Paul even said he was the least!

The name Jesus, on the other hand, is simply Superior to any other name in every way! Let us start by the annunciation of the Angel Gabriel, who told Mary that she would call His Name Jesus (Yashua, or deliverer) because He shall save his people from their sins(Luke 1:31,32). Now, notice every name given to Jesus was appropriate and befitting in every single way. The angel also said He will be called the Son of the Almighty and He was. Remember when Jesus commanded the wind and the Sea to obey Him, and they did. Jesus said “Whatever you ask in my Name and doubt not, I will do it”(John 14:13). Here is probably the summation of the names given to Jesus found in Isaiah 9:6: “…and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.” All I can say is WOW, what wonderful names!

In Philippians chapter two, verses nine, ten, and eleven, it states “God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which 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 confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Now this is the Jesus we love, adore and worship. This is the Jesus that conquered death and who’s Easter we are commemorating. I could have easily elaborated on the last seven words of Jesus on the cross as every other minister does every single Easter, but I chose to celebrate His greatness starting with His powerful name. From now on, use the name of Jesus to overcome, and you will! Also, remember to Thank Him all the time.