What's in a Name?

Sharon Long

Fear not for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name and you are mine.

Isaiah 43:1, ESV

I was delighted that we were having our first grandson. My son and his girlfriend ere considering names. As I sat in church one Sabbath, a name popped into my head. It was not a familiar name to me, so I smiled and sent Tremayne a text saying “Bryson”. His response was, “who is that” and I said it was the baby’s name that God gave me. Needless to say Bryson arrived several months later, in August 2017.

I began thinking about how some of the Bible characters came by their names. The Gospel of Luke states that while Zechariah ministered at the altar of incense, an angel of the Lord appeared and announced to him that his wife, Elisabeth, would give birth to a son, whom he was to name John (Luke 1:12–17).

In Genesis we read the story of creation and the fall of man. In chapter 3:20 it states that Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.

Mary was a young woman who was engaged to marry Joseph. An angel appeared to her and said, “fear not Mary, for thou has found favour with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a son, and shall call his name Jesus” (Luke 1: 30-31).

There is Power in the name of Jesus, tis the sweetest name I know. Some other names used when referring to Jesus are … God With Us, Our Rock, The Saviour, Messiah, Immanuel, Lamb of God, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Alpha and Omega, Prince of Peace, Light of the World, The Word, The Door, The Good Shepherd, Chief Cornerstone, Saviour, Master, Teacher, Lion of the Tribe of Judah, The I Am, Great High Priest, The Great Physician, Wonderful Counsellor, Redeemer, Bridegroom, Deliverer, Friend, Brother, The Way, The Truth and the Life.

Jesus, Name about all names. No matter what situation you find yourself in, in this life, Jesus is the answer to all our questionings. As I write this we are nine months into COVID-19, and in the midst of uncertainty. God has not left us alone so cry out to Him today. If you are sick cry out to the Great Physician, if you are sad call on the Comforter. Whatever you need, He will supply if you ask in accordance with His will.

Sharon Long was born in Trinidad but lived most of her life in Canada. In 2015, she retired from the government of Alberta after thirty-four years in child welfare.

© 2022 by Pacific Press Publishing Association

Sharon Long