What's In A Name?

Acts 3:16 – By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given complete healing to him, as you can all see. (NIV)

On our way to the grocery store, we pass a hot tub store. One day, I noticed that the name of the store was no longer on the building. At first glance, I said to my husband that the store must be closed. Then, I noticed the red flashing "Open" signs, and we realized that it was still open. The store was in the process of getting a new sign.

This got me thinking, "What's in a name?" In this particular case, the name on the sign identified what kind of store it was and what it sold. While the sign was being changed, all that a person passing by might see was the flashing sign saying "Open". Although effective, such a sign was of no use in revealing to passersby what the store actually sold. Without a sign, in most cases, people would pass by and not be drawn into the store.

How are we showing people the way to Jesus? What sign do we illuminate for the world to see? What really is in a name? For the Christian, so very much is in the name of Jesus: there is hope, salvation, grace, and eternal life, just to mention a few things.

Revelation 21:23 – The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. (NKJV)

Prayer: Dear Lord, we grasp the concept of Your name and all that it has to offer the world. Help us to spread the name of Jesus to a lost and hurting world. Shine Your light through us so that we can bring illumination to this world. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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