Names

Names (by Tim Klink of Prison Discipleship Ministry)

Have you ever stopped to consider how many people you know by their name? Over a lifetime we can know literally thousands of people’s names, and each one of them has a different meaning to us than they may have to others. The meaning they have depends upon the experience you have with them, and how that experience impacts your life.

The names of my children and grandchildren all have special meanings to me because of my relationship with them, as well as watching them grow into the person God planned. The names of my parents and grandparents hold very special meaning to me because they represent the love, guidance, and care I had during my early years. Even the name of my first great-granddaughter holds special meaning even though she will not be born for several months.

The name Barb may not have special meaning to you, but it does to me, especially after almost fifty-six years together as my wife. The “Barb” that may be in your life has a totally different meaning to me than the Barb that is in my life because of all we have shared. What a persons name means to you is based upon the relationship you have with them.

Relationships are all based upon the amount of time spent developing them. it is the same with your relationship with Jesus. His name will only have great meaning to you as you spend time with Him. when you see Him in the truth of God's Word, and allow Him to be close to you in all things, your relationship with Him will grow. Those who have never heard His name in truth have a very distant, and often distorted view of Him, therefore, the name of Jesus means little to them.

But the day is coming when all will know Jesus equally as the King of kings, Lord of lords, and Saviour of all mankind. What does the name “Jesus” mean to you today?

Philippians 2:10-11

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.