Monday, December 15, 2008

The Name


A name is a label… In itself it has nothing to do with ‘who’ a person is – it is simply an enabling identification for the purpose of communicating with others.

And yet…
When you hear a name spoken…. You either draw a blank because the name has no meaning to you beyond the sound of its letters…. OR … there flashes into your mind the image of the person who bears that name.
In your mind's eye you see much more than just his/her physical features which are but the frame for the character traits you immediately think of …. His/her smile… his mannerisms….his voice…the way you know him to act and react….the memories you have of interacting with him.
His name brings to mind the PERSON of his character that has become synonymous with his name !

There is a beautiful prophecy of the coming Messiah in the well know passage in Isaiah 9. Verse 6 says…. “…and His name shall be called Wonderful, Couseller, The might God, The everylasting father, The Prince of Peace.”
His ‘name’ - Jesus - is not mentioned but how easy it is to recognize Him by the description given of Him.

Wonderful !! - synonyms for ‘wonderful’ are extra-ordinary, breathtaking, grand, splendid, tremendous, magnificent, superb, amazing, astonishing, fantastic, brilliant, great, miracle!!
“And when the chief priests and scribes saw the WONDERFUL things that He did…” Matt. 21:15

Counseller ! someone full of wisdom, able to advise, direct , guide and teach !
" Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
"FOR WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD? OR WHO HAS BECOME HIS COUNSELOR?"
Rom.11:33-34

The Mighty God ! Powerful, All-knowing, All-seeing, All-Present !
"OR WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM AND IT SHALL BE REPAID TO HIM?
For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.”
Rom.11:35,36
“ and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.” Eph.1:19

The Everlasting Father! Tender, compassionate, loving, caring, disciplining.
"O Jerusalem….. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!” Luke 13:34

The Prince of Peace ! the Creator of Peace, the giver of Peace, the Ruler over Peace.
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27


Jesus came, born a babe in a lowly stable, and yet was recognized from the description of His name - a description that preceded His birth by some 700 years !

In this beautiful time of year, Jesus is the reason……He is either recognized for who His is and worshiped. or His name has become a reason for mocking .

Everyone knows His ‘label’ … Jesus… but do you KNOW His name? Intimately ? Does who HE is rule who YOU are?
If you have taken His Name - His character- do people ‘recognize’ you for your likeness to Him?

“O Come , let us adore Him,
Christ, the Lord! …. For He alone is worthy! “

6 comments:

charlotte mgcc said...

what a lovely post.....all these wonderful names of Jesus. you are truly a gifted teacher.
sounds like you had a lot of fun on sunday, and that you got to meet marg on a completely seperate occasion was wonderful.....
someday maybe who knows we all may be together having our first mgcc retreat........

Lovella ♥ said...

oooh. . my word verification is cry abler. . well that certainly is not you.
Julie yet another beautiful post. . so wonderful to see all the names of our Saviour.
I love reading the Christmas Story over and over and over again to our grands. . they listen so carefully. . ( it helps that a star is lit every few moments). . but my favorite part is when the angels speak to the shepherds. . telling them not to be afraid. .a Saviour is born. .

Betty said...

Oh I never tire of the Christmas story either..a wonderful post, Julie! I agree..you are a gifted teacher.
Oh I pray that others see that Christ lives in me..it is what I strive for!
Wow, what fun you must have had on Sunday..all I see is smiles!! Char and I were there in the 'howling wind' as Trish mentioned..grin

Demara said...

Oh what a name! He has.

Anonymous said...

I know His NAME and His VOICE!

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

Beautiful, Julie. I can hear the strains of Handel's "Messiah" every time I read this verse....and I also love that one day he will give us a name that only we will know!