What is in a name? Unlike Shakespeare’s opinion that names are just a label, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” spoken by Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. Names are bestowed on people with meaning and purpose. Though in today’s society choosing names for their children has changed from purpose to perplexing.
My parents meaningfully determined the names to call me after my birth on a snowy day in Vancouver. My mum thought of St. Elizabeth of Hungary and chose the name Lisa, a derivative of Elizabeth. My name in Hebrew means God is my oath, God’s promise and God is abundance. They also named me after my maternal grandmother, Edna, and gave me a third name Marie.
More important than my own name is the name of Jesus, my Lord and Saviour. Only his name holds power to heal, to cast out demons, and to call upon the Father to bring us help in whatever way needed.
Joseph was visited by the angel Gabriel and was told that Mary, “ … will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Mt 1:21)
Jesus’ name means “The Lord is my salvation.” It comes from the Hebrew name Yeshua and combines the name of God, Yahweh. I like to call on Jesus’ name often for hope and for comfort in the midst of any suffering. Jesus’ name can heal, bring peace and raise the dead.
Jesus made promises about his name, “In my name shall they cast out devils … they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” (Mk 16:17–18)
There are many instances in the Bible that show the mighty name of Jesus and how he can heal. One example is that Peter heals a lame beggar, “I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.” (Acts 3:6-7)
Another time in Acts 16:18, Paul delivers a spirit out of a girl by proclaiming, “In the name of Jesus Christ, I command you to come out of her,” and the spirit left immediately.
What is also interesting is that Peter and Paul are both given new names by Jesus. Peter receives his name because Jesus tells him on this rock you are to build my church. And Paul is renamed after he has a conversion and stops persecuting Christians. Their names became their new identity in Christ.
As Father Mark-Mary shares in his Ascension Presents video titled The Power of Saying the Name of Jesus, “When we love somebody, when someone has come into your life, who fills your life you can’t help but speak their name over and over.” He challenges his viewers to speak the name of Jesus in their daily lives. He goes on to say that Jesus is the spouse of our souls.
Do we talk to Jesus like he is our spouse?
Always remember whenever you need help you can call on Jesus’ name. “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” (Jn 16:24)
Many times we call on the name of Jesus if we are in deep need. We are assured that we can find solace in his name as stated in James 5:14-15, “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.”
Jesus may we call on your name in gratitude and in our need. Only you have the power to heal us. You are a loving God who gives us a life full of abundant blessing. Lord Jesus, I am ready to receive the gifts you want to give me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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