WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Gip Hardin, a preacher, named his son after the famous preacher John Wesley, hoping his baby boy would be like his namesake. John Wesley Hardin, however, chose a different path. Claiming to have killed forty-two men, Hardin became one of the most notorious gunfighters and outlaws of the late 1800s.

In the Bible, as in many places today, names hold special meaning. Announcing the birth of God’s Son, an angel told Joseph to name Mary’s child “Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (MATTHEW 1:21). The meaning of Jesus’ name—“God saves”—explained His mission to rescue us from sin.

Unlike Hardin, Jesus completely lived up to His name. Through His death and resurrection, He completed His rescue mission. When John came to the end of his retelling of Jesus’ life, he said: “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (JOHN 20:31). The book of Acts invites everyone to trust Him, for, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (ACTS 4:12).

Everyone who trusts Jesus’ name can enjoy the forgiveness, new life and unending future only He provides. Have you trusted Him? BC

Thinking it over . . .

If you were named after your purpose in life, what would your name be? Why do you think Jesus promises His people a “new name?” (REVELATION 2:17).