The man with a name

WHAT’S in a name? I wonder if you have ever thought about what your family name means, pondered its origin and speculated about who else may be related to you. They are big questions. In England alone there are around 45,000 different surnames, each with a unique history attached to it. Our name identifies who we are, or at least narrows it down a little.

Before the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, people did not have family surnames that were passed down generations. They were known simply by a personal name or nickname. That was OK in a hamlet or village, but imagine how confusing it would be among millions of people.

The sources from which surnames were drawn were many and varied – nicknames, physical attributes, counties and trades. Later, with immigration, new names were brought into the country.

In biblical times, a baby might be given a name from circumstances associated with his or her first days – as in the case of ‘Moses’ which means ‘draws out’, after he was discovered and pulled out of some reeds where he had been hidden for safety. In other cases children were named from nature – for example Deborah, which means ‘bee’, and Jonah, which means ‘dove’.

Some names were given at the prompting of God and some hinted at the destiny of the child or of a whole nation.

Jesus was given the name that the angel Gabriel instructed his earthly father Joseph to give him – a name of divine inspiration and destiny. Jesus means ‘God is salvation’.

After Jesus had completed his work on earth and had returned to Heaven he made a supernatural appearance to Saul on the road to Damascus. He declared: ‘I am Jesus’ (Acts 9:5 New International Version).

God used Jesus to bring salvation to all people.

Unfortunately, today the name of Jesus is often used disrespectfully as a swear word. But his name means everything to people who love and follow him.

It is the name that reminds them they are free to live the full life God wants them to have. It means that they can be forgiven for the wrong things they have done and receive a new start from God.

The Bible also says that Jesus is ‘the name that is above every name’ (Philippians 2:9) – it is the name that can change our lives.

UK War Cry June 2010