It's important to get someone's name right. Our names are a significant part of who we are, the way we are known and even the way we know ourselves.
To begin understanding Jesus, we need to know that there are many names for him. Each one gives a new perspective into his very nature.
God is calling your name now, and inviting you to consider again who Jesus is for you.
And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.”
John 1:32-34
“The Son of God.” What exactly does that mean? It is a very unusual and, at times, mysterious name in the Bible. In this passage, John uses the name to tell us that Jesus is not of human origin in the way that we are children of our parents. Jesus’ origin is God. His destination is God and, not only that, he is fully God.
The name “Son of God” reminds us that Jesus understands what it’s like to be a person. He had friends. He cared about people. Jesus understands all the stuff we’re going through – even the stuff we don’t want to talk about – because Jesus went through it, too. The road of being a person is fully known by God, and we are never truly alone.
Sometimes we can remind each other of that by reaching out to one another – by caring for each other and caring for ourselves. Who do you need to reach out to today?
Marc van Bulck
God, be with me on the road of my life today. Grant me the compassion to offer care for others, the courage to ask for it when I’m the one who needs it, and the reassurance that I am never truly alone. Amen.
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:14-17