“I have called you by name, you are mine” (Isa.43:1). “I know you by name” (Ex.33:17). “Your name will no longer be Abram, but Abraham, because I am making you the ancestor of many nations” (Gen.17:6). One Day every knee in heaven and on earth will bow at Jesus’ name (Phil.2:10).
Lord Jesus, these Scriptures remind us that nothing is more central to our identity than the name(s) by which we live. Our world, shame, evil—even we ourselves, brand us with names that shape, cripple, and imprison us. We are grateful to know you as the Lord of redeeming and re-naming.
Whether or not there’s literally a new name you’ll give us in heaven, it’s enough to know you now call us, “Mine”, “Beloved”, “Desired.” Free us to live by these grace-fueled names and appellations. And heal us of the names that have diss-graced, debased, and demeaned us. Indeed, free us from every destructive, anti-Gospel label we have ever received in life.
Just as importantly, help us address one another the ways you speak to us, Jesus—with kindness and grace, healing and hope. Convict us quickly and deeply when we label, brand, and intentionally harm others with weaponized words and mercy-void names. It’s the devil who robs, kills, and destroys—and when possible, he will use our words to accomplish his damnable deeds.
Lastly and most importantly, Jesus, your name is the name we love to hear more than any other. Your name isn’t just the assembly of 5 letters, it is the bottomless ocean of truth, goodness, and beauty. We long for the Day when we will join everyone and everything above, on, and below the earth in declaring your glory and grace (Rev.4-5). Hasten that Day, Jesus. So Very Amen.
