"What's In A Name?"

By: Zach Wood

Philippians 2:9

Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.

 

 

If there are any Petra fans out there, the title of this devotion may ring a bell.  The Christian rock band, Petra, had a song titled, "What's In A Name?"  The song is taken directly from the passage of Philippians.  It's a beautiful passage talking about how wonderful and awesome the name of Jesus Christ is. 

 

This past weekend, while my wife and I were doing some shopping, we went into a Yankee Candle store to buy something.  When we checked out, the lady at the counter took my credit card, ran it through, saw my name and said something interesting.  She complimented, "Zach Wood.  What a cool name!  I just really like that name!"  I looked at her and then to my wife, with a weird grin on my face.  I'm thinking, "Okay, that's different to hear.  It's just a name."  She went on saying to a woman nearby, "Doesn't that sound like a neat name?  Zach Wood!  If anyone asks me tomorrow what I did today, I'll tell them I met Zach Wood."  By now, I didn't know how to react other than saying, "Well, thank you".  Someone made a big deal about my name and it was a weird feeling. 

 

Of course, after we walked out, I knew I had a devotional for this week in my mind already.  I thought to myself, "Why don't we get excited like that woman about the name of Jesus Christ?"  It's kind of a sad question, but it's true.  Do we really get excited about sharing the name of Christ with our co-workers?  What about our neighbors?  How about unsaved people in our family?  Sometimes, we get so scared about how people are going to react, but I've seen many people who are not afraid whatsoever about saying the name of Jesus Christ.  They are happy to proclaim Him!  Shouldn't we be as well?  There is so much in the name of Jesus Christ!  God exalted Him to the highest position and gave Him the name that is above every name in the entire universe.  That's heavy stuff!  

 

His name should always bring a smile to our faces and a song of praise into our hearts.  What's in His name?  Salvation and an abundant life.  Now that's beautiful!  What's in the name of Jesus Christ?  Everything!