Understanding the Name of Jesus

When Elizabeth was pregnant with Abigail, she was due in early December. As we approached the holidays, there was a great anticipation. I will never forget the conversation that Elizabeth and I had about naming Abigail. Both her first and middle names were chosen not because they sounded nice or anything like that. We chose those names because of what they meant.

The name Abigail means my father is joyful. In the Old Testament, Abigail was described as a beautiful and intelligent woman. Abigail's middle name, Moriah literally means the Lord is my teacher. Names do have meaning if you look hard enough.

In our culture names are what we use to identify ourselves. Names carried a great deal of importance in biblical times. People were named with great thought and meaning. Names were seen as a symbol of divine destiny. Here are just a few examples:

Nehemiah: consoled by God
Jeremiah: Exalted by God
Isaiah: God is salvation
Jacob: Supplanter
Delilah: small, poor or head of hair

When God sent His Son, He chose the perfect name, Jesus but God also gave other names and titles to describe Jesus to the world. If you have your Bibles, please open them to Matthew 1:18-25