What's In a Name?

Devotional

Video - One King by Point of Grace

Taking into account that this song is not accurate….

The wise men were not kings…

There were likely more than three of them…

It opens the door for questions.

Who is God? Who is the one that would draw wise men from afar to come and worship him?

They were NOT at the manger, at his birth. It took them some time to arrive and they arrived at Mary and Joseph’s home when they did.

This means, this was a journey that took time and effort.

We will talk more about them tomorrow morning.

Who is this one what literally stopped all heaven and earth with his birth?

In my devotions recently, I read Leviticus 24:15-16. These were my thoughts as I meditated upon it.

Meditation - What’s In a Name?

Leviticus 24:15–16 (ESV): 15 And speak to the people of Israel, saying, Whoever curses his God shall bear his sin. 16 Whoever blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall stone him. The sojourner as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death.

Abba,

What’s in a name?

Identity.

Value.

Character.

Integrity.

A name bears a reputation.

A near bears weight.

By a name, you know a little something about the thing or the one bearing the name.

At a name, a myriad of emotions and thoughts can be invoked.

Excitement!

Disgust.

Joy!

Terror!

Indifference, even.

Uncertainty. Hesitation.

Curiosity.

Confidence.

Doubt

There is so much that a single name can do.

There is so much that a single name can invoke.

And there is no greater name, than yours.

Yours is a name that invokes POWER and AUTHORITY

Yours is a name that invokes RIGHTNESS and HOLINESS

Yours is a name that invokes SAFETY or TERROR

Yours is a name that invokes CONFIDENCE or FEAR.

Yours is the name that is above every name.

Yours is the name that is highest in the land.

Yours is the name that is either loved or abhorred; cherished or rejected.

Yours is the name that IS either refuge or judgment.

Yours is the name that demands respect and worship.

Thus, cursing and blaspheming of that name demands the highest and most costly recompense.

Stoning and death may seem a high cost for disrespecting a name.

Until

One considers the weight of the name; the person of the name; the worth of the one who bears the name.

To curse or blaspheme your name, O God, is high treason. It is defiant rejection of YOUR PERSON. And since you alone are God, creator and sustainer of all things, this is a most grievous rejection.

Abba, may we cherish and honor your name, your being above all!

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Who is God?

Who is this God whose name demands stoning upon being blasphemed?

What about this God, this name elevates it to such a high status?

Why does his name invoke such worship and wonder?

Why does his name invoke such fear and terror?

Why does his name deserve such reverence and awe?

VIDEO - Who is God by Lion of Judah

Because HE IS

There is None Like Him

There is NONE like God. He is unique, one of a kind. His very essence stands apart. His very being of the highest sort.

His very nature, eternality, holiness, and transcendence demands it.

Meditation

Leviticus 24:15–16 (ESV): 15 And speak to the people of Israel, saying, Whoever curses his God shall bear his sin. 16 Whoever blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall stone him. The sojourner as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death.

For many, it may seem harsh to condemn a person to death by stoning for blaspheming a name, for disrespecting a name.

This just consequence in Leviticus 24:15-16 only shows JUST HOW ELEVATED and PURE the name and person of God is.

It IS a harsh sentence. It is harsh precisely because of how high and lofty the name and character of that one being maligned.

Thus the reverse of what is being said here is also true; that there is safety and refuge in the shelter of this name. It either provides covering and refuge, or it rains downs judgment and destruction.

This is the beauty and glory of El Shaddai’s name!

Which is what renders the Christmas celebration and these next words so awe inspiring.

John 1:1-18.

John 1:1–18 ESV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

He came near.

This high and lofty God.

This SUPREME one.

He came near.

LIGHT THE Christ Candle

He made himself known to us.

Truth itself.

Life itself.

Eternity itself.

Glory itself.

Came near

Revealing Himself to us.

Come, let us Adore Him

Let us worship Him this Christmas

He is the greatest element of our holiday celebration.

He is the reason for the season.

Sing - Come Let Us Adore Him