THINK TOGETHER
Do you know what your name means?
READ TOGETHER
When your mom and dad chose your name I’m guessing that an angel did not tell them what to name you. But an angel did tell Joseph what to name Jesus. Here’s the wrods of the angel to Joseph:
Matthew 1:21. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
The name Jesus is Hebrew is the same name as Joshua (Yeshu. Yeshua. Yehoshua. Joshua). And the name Joshua means “Yahweh saves,” or “the Lord is salvation.”
Back in those days, and still today, names were very important. Your name meant your character or even your job. Can you think of a name that is also the name of a job? (Baker, Cooper, Smith, etc.)
Jesus was a very common name in his time. But for him it was also a very special name. Why? Because this Jesus really was the salvation of the Lord.
And because Jesus’ name is so special it is…
The name above every other name (Eph. 1:21).
The name we believe in (1 John 3:23).
The name that is holy (Luke 1:49).
The name that scare demons (Luke 10:17).
The name that brings forgiveness of sins (Luke 24:47).
The name that makes us children of God (John 1:12).
The name that removes all condemnation (John 3:18).
The name that brings answers to prayer (John 14:14).
The name by which we give thanks (Eph. 5:20).
The name the Spirit places into us (John 14:26).
The name that brings joy (John 16:26).
The name that holds us together (John 17:11).
The name that unites us (1 Cor. 1:10).
The name we gather under (1 Cor. 5:4).
The name that produces power (Acts 4:10).
The name by which we make disciples (Matt. 28:19).
The name we give up everything for (Matt. 19:29).
The name we suffer for (Acts 9:16).
The name we sing about (Rom. 15:9).
The name we praise (Heb. 13:15).
The name by which we do everything (Col. 3:17).
The name that is glorified in us (2 Thess. 1:12).
The name that keeps us from sin (2 Tim. 2:19).
The name that restores (James 5:14).
The name whereby we love and serve the saints (Heb. 6:10).
The name that will bring hatred from the world (Matt. 24:9).
The name that removes shame in persecution (1 Peter 4:16).
The name that brings assurance of eternal life (1 John 5:13).
The name we endure all things under (Rev. 2:3).
The name we will never deny (Rev. 3:8).
The name we glorify (Rev. 15:4).
The ONLY name that brings salvation (Acts 4:12).
The name that ever knee will bow before (Phil. 2:10).
The name written on our foreheads forever (Rev. 22:4).
Unlike us, Jesus’ name is totally who he is. He IS salvation, and he brings salvation to the world. And because he IS salvation, because salvation is his name, he had to give his life as the rescue for all mankind. Salvation is no mere afterthought. It is not God’s “plan B.” Salvation is his name. His character. His very life.
And today we can share the name of Jesus. He has written his name on our hearts. How? By saving us. He has put salvation into our spirit and we will never be the same.
Because of Jesus we can experience God’s salvation.
With Jesus we can share his name proudly.
DO SOMETHING TOGETHER
Talk about what your names mean and why your names were chosen. Then talk about why Mary and Joseph name their baby Jesus – what is so special about his name? About him?
PRAY TOGETHER
Jesus,
Your name is salvation. That’s who you are! Thanks for saving me.
Amen.
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