“And when eight days were completed so that it was time for His circumcision, He was also named Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb” (Luke 2:21; all Scripture quotations are from the New American Standard Bible).

Today’s article commemorate the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus.

Much of the world celebrates New Year’s Day on January 1. Some are nursing hangovers since many people think a single revolution around the sun requires excessive alcohol consumption to ensure Earth’s continued forward motion. Many others make resolutions, promising to become better versions of themselves over the next 12 months (the average resolution collapses within three weeks).

Many traditional/liturgical churches dedicate this day to celebrating something more eternal and trustworthy than Earth’s orbit around the sun: the Holy Name of Jesus. Since January 1 is the eighth day of Christmas, it is the day that we recall Jesus’ circumcision. On that day, his parents officially named Him.

The Scriptures have much to say about the significance of the divine name of God: both Yahweh in the Old Testament and Jesus in the New. In the following, I will share three important passages about Jesus’ name (there are many others to choose from).

The name of Jesus defines the purpose of His coming:

“She will give birth to a Son; and you shall name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

The angel told both Mary and Joseph that they should name Him Jesus, “for He will save His people from their sins.” The name Jesus is derived from the Hebrew “Yehoshua,” meaning “Yahweh (the Lord) is salvation.” This was why He was born, lived, and died: to provide salvation from the power and curse of sin. By faith in Him, we obtain forgiveness of our sins and everlasting life.

Because He accomplished His purpose, Jesus’ name has power:

“For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

In Philippians 2, Paul describes Jesus’ incarnation as the perfect example of humility. The Son of God, through whom all things were created, accepted the limitations of a human body and died a shameful and brutal death for our sins. Yet, although He assumed a vulnerable appearance, He obtained “the name which is above every name.” His name signifies His power, authority, and glory. While today some people mock His name or use it as a vulgar expletive, the day will come when everybody will bow their knees when His name is proclaimed. Everybody will bow before Him: “those who are in heaven,” including all of the angels; “those … on earth,” including all humanity, saved and unsaved, will have to acknowledge Him as Lord and King; and “those … under the earth,” including every demon will have to “confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Jesus’ name has power and authority. We pray in Jesus’ name (John 16:23-24), claiming and trusting in His authority. (Keep in mind, though, that the Father knows whether you are living under Christ’s authority or using His name in vain, trying to coerce blessings through it without acknowledging His authority over your life.)

That power of Jesus’ name is permanent:

“There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads” (Revelation 22:3-4).

The name of Jesus will mark all of God’s children throughout eternity. We who have trusted in His name for salvation during this life will bear the name of Jesus for all eternity. Revelation 22:3-4 says His name will be on our foreheads, much like “the beast from the earth” (often referred to as the antichrist) required people to accept his mark on their foreheads. We hear a lot about “the mark of the beast” but must remember that, as God’s children, we bear the mark of the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). We will bear His name forever as a testimony that He saved us and obtained our eternal life.

Let us praise the name of Jesus Christ our Lord today and forever!

Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart, we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

What does the name of Jesus mean to you? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Copyright © 2024 Michael E. Lynch. All rights reserved.