Today's Scripture Matthew 1:18-25, Matthew 1:20-21, Luke 1:26-33, Numbers 13:16 and Revelation 2:17
Throughout this study we have learned how a name is much more than a name, its a legacy, the dreams of our parents, and the prospect of our life path. In almost every Christian ceremony a person's name is extremely important! From baptisms to funerals the personal intimate nature of stating the persons first name is the heart of the ceremony. During the time of Jesus' birth so many babies didn't make it that the parents held off naming their boys until the circumcision ceremony, so receiving a name was a momentous occasion. Most boys also received the same name of their fathers, I would imagine that when Jesus' parents shared that their babies name would be Jesus most would have been very surprised since his fathers name was Joseph.
Both Mary and Joseph received a visitation from an angel who told them that the babies name was to be Jesus and He would be the son of the Most High. The surprising part of Jesus' name did reflect the name of His heavenly father. In Numbers 13 "Hoshea son of Nun" was given a new name Joshua. Hoshea means "salvation", but Joshua means "the Lord is salvation" or "God Saves". The Hebrew name Joshua in Greek translation becomes Jesous or Jesus. Jesus' first name was Joshua.
The new letter YOD as in Jehovah "I AM" and by adding the same letter to Hoshea's name - "The Desire for Salvation or Rescue". By speaking Joshua's name Moses was naming aloud Jehovah. So God's people went from never saying God's name aloud so as not to commit blasphemy to now calling on his name for help, saving, and salvation. We are now on a first name basis with Jesus.
Through Jesus we are also on a first name basis with God, a more approachable relationship! God wants to be close to us, He wants us to approach him personally, intimately. Our names represent the essence of who we are, it embodies our lives. Its special to us and describes who we are.
In Revelations 2:17 God has a new name for us, an identity that comes from knowing Him the one that created us. God named us and sends us an invitation out of love to be on a first-name basis with Him. We can be His namesake, He is waiting with a beautiful name just for us!
-Namesake
I hope you have enjoyed following along with this Namesake study. It has been full of challenge, reward and getting to know myself and God's word better. I am currently looking for a new study that is more mother / parent based, so if you have any suggestions please comment below! I would also like to know what are some of your Thanksgiving traditions and how you decorate for the season in between Halloween and Christmas.
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