A New Name

     When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi,
     he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of
     Man is?”

     They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say
     Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

     “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

     Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of
     the living God.”

     Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for
     this was not reveled to you by flesh and blood, but by
     my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter,
     and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of
     Hades will not overcome it.”
                                                    (Matthew 16:13-18)

The moment we first hear God call our name, speaking “Son” or “Daughter” over us, is a life-changing, life-giving moment. It changes who we are, and we are never the same again.

Throughout the Bible, we read of God changing people’s names to signify a new meaning or purpose for them. In Genesis we read that God changed the name of Abram, which means “exalted father,” to Abraham, which means “father of a multitude,” as a sign of God’s promise that Abraham would be come the father of many nations (Genesis 17:5). Likewise, in the New Testament, we read of Jesus changing Simon’s name to Peter, the Greek word for rock, so that Peter would forever be reminded of the purpose Jesus had for him: “Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it” (Matthew 16:18 NLT).

How did their new names change Abraham and Peter? What must it have been like to receive such a personal and prophetic word from the Lord? Abraham was ninety-nine years old and had no children at the time God changed his name to “father of many nations,” so the promise likely seemed impossible. Abraham knew that he had no power on his own to fulfill the promise, but he believed what God had told him: and in time God fulfilled that promise with a son, Isaac–and many generations to follow. And what about Peter? The road he walked as a disciple of Jesus was certainly bumpy, and there were times he doubted his own faith and purpose; but he continued to spread the good news and build Christ’s church. Though both Abraham and Peter sometimes faltered and doubted God’s promises to them, they always could remember the names God had given them and be reassured of God’s power and presence in their lives.

God’s promises are not empty. If God promises something, God will be faithful to fulfill it. That’s what God did through his Son, Jesus. God promised to come for you, and God did. God has pursued you through the heavens and the earth in order to call you God’s child. Will you claim this name that God has given you? will you hold fast to the promise regardless of your doubts?

As we walk through this season of Advent, may we claim God’s promises fulfilled in Jesus and experience the power and presence of his wonderful name–Immanuel, God with us.

Prayer Focus
What name do you hear God speaking over you today? How do the rhythms of this season help to increase your awareness of the lengths God has taken to give you a new name?

From Rob Renfroe and Ed Robb, The Wonder of Christmas: Devotions for the Season