Promise in the Name

Isaiah 62:2 The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow.
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Luke 24:47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
 
THE Bible often speaks of a name’s importance. In Jacob’s story from Genesis, for example, we read that a new name marked Jacob’s transformed life. “Jacob” meant “deceiver”. That trait certainly marked his character for the first 60 years of his life. But then on Jacob’s return to Canaan, in one of Scripture’s most remarkable stories of new birth, God gave to Jacob a new name: Genesis 32:28 “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.”  The new name was a sign that God was taking the next step in his redemptive promise. Jacob’s new name pointed to a new life under God’s covenant. His new name was a way Jacob could have hope amid the tragedies his family would suffer. And “Israel” would be a name the faithful of this nation remembered throughout its troubled history and know now as they await God’s power to overcome their earthly struggles.
   In the same way, Christians can speak the name of Jesus with hope, confident are born again, overcoming sin.  “Jesus” is the Greek word for the Hebrew “Joshua” or “Hosea”, names that mean “savior”: This is the Father’s name for his Son, so you know the promise: Luke 1:31b and you are to give him the name Jesus. It is important to note that as fathers normally named their sons, God, the Father, named Israel and Jesus to remind all mankind of his salvation promise.
    “Jerusalem”, too, has a very special meaning. The last half of the word, “Salem”, means peace, and the full name means, “possession of peace”. Although the city has seldom known true peace since David’s reign. The Old Testament history is a tragic story of violence from within and without the city. When we say, “Jerusalem.” we still think of conflict. Walls separate people and religions. Divisive theologies, idol worship and false teaching cause spiritual conflict in Jerusalem and Israel.
   But then, “Jerusalem” also points to the hope of a new day when God’s people will have struggled and won. Here is God’s eternal prophecy for the city that has found no peace: Isaiah 62:4 No longer will they call you Deserted or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah (“My delight is in her.”) and your land Beulah (Married one); for the Lord will take delight in you, and your land will be married.
    God will redeem the name of Jerusalem with the power of the name of Jesus, brought forth through the nation Israel. As forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, one day the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, (will come) down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. (Revelation 21:2-3) Through Jacob, Isaiah, Jesus and John, God promises the very character of Jerusalem and of the world will completely reflect God’s righteousness.
   What’s your name? As you are named “Christian” be aware of who you are. “Christian” says, “I am of Christ.” Be alert to know you are intimately related to Jesus, by whose name the Father has given you a new life. May your life display who he is.
 
Prayer: Thank you, God Almighty for giving me a new name in your salvation. I pray I honor who I am in you. Amen.