A New Name

For the past few weeks I have been working preparing for a huge conference that will be taking place in a couple of weeks at our church in Flushing, NY. One of my tasks is assigning hotel rooms to over 900 guests from all around the world. In doing so, I have had to read, type, and figure out all kinds of names that are quite foreign to me.  Of course, most of the names of those who are coming from the US, Canada, or Western Europe are not that difficult for me. But some of the names from places like India, Mongolia, Africa and parts of Asia can seem very long and totally unfamiliar.  Those who are coming from Latin America can have multiple names—e.g. a first name, second name, surname, and mother’s maiden name.  And, when it comes to figuring out spouses, many countries around the world do not use our system of sharing one last name.  In the end, I have found the process of reading and processing the many different kinds of names both fascinating and challenging. 

In the Bible, names were and are very important.  No one gave a name to a child just because it sounded nice or was popular at the time.  Rather, names were often words put together to represent something about that child or the circumstances surrounding their birth.  For example, when Joseph of the Old Testament named his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim, it was because the words used to name them represented what God had been doing in his life at that time.  The angel Gabriel told both Mary and Joseph to name their son, “Yeshua” (i.e. Joshua or Jesus), which means from the Hebrew, “The Lord saves!”

In this life, we might carry names that may or may not be the best.  Some of our names are merely nice sounding names. Some of us received names because they were popular at the time or because our parents were trying to be a bit different. Sometimes we get stuck with names we don’t really like.  And as we travel from one part of the world to another, our names may or may not be familiar.  In any case, here is a word of good news for all of us who are followers of Jesus Christ: one day we will all receive a new name! 

Isaiah 62:2 says, “…you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.” (NIV)  And in the book of Revelation Jesus says, “I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.”  (Revelation 2:17 – NIV)  That is, one day you and I will receive a name from God himself; a name that we will carry with us into all of eternity; a name that will represent the wonderful work that Christ has done in our lives. 

I have no problem with my current name. In fact, I like my name, “Timothy” (which means “to honor God.”—that’s from the Greek!)  But, I look forward to the day God gives to me a new name that he himself has chosen especially for me!  And, he has chosen one for you as well!

Have a great day!

Pastor Tim Harris

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