Names often have significance in the bible.

In the Genesis songs one of the responsibilities God gave humanity was to name all the living creatures. We continue this today, naming not only everything in nature but also new members of our family. The implication is great as it implies responsibility, such as looking after a child’s growth to adulthood. It is about care and nurturing.

Early in the development of His people God renames them to express their character and purpose. Abram is renamed Abraham to underline his role, expanding from the father of a family to a multitude. Similarly Jacob was renamed Israel.

Isaiah uses an extraordinary example in naming his children, not to express their own character but to be a living prophecy to the people with whom they came into contact. Sadly for some they included a sign of judgment. One of his sons was called ‘swift the booty, speedy the prey’ warning of treasures soon to be plundered.

Isaiah also prophesies about another child named Immanuel meaning ‘God is with us’ who would grow up and live embodying that name. Matthew in his gospel refers to this prophecy and states that Jesus is the fulfilment. The same passage follows the angelic encounter with Joseph explaining that the child was to be called Jesus meaning saviour ‘He will save his people from their sins’.

Isaiah also prophesied about a child being born with names of Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace. All names that are reflected by Jesus.

It is not surprising that Isaiah states that he and the children were ‘signs and wonders… from the Lord of Hosts’.

It was not just the name they responded to but they were signs and prophetic promises of what God would bring about.

John in his gospel records a prayer of Jesus speaking to his Father. It follows the passage where Jesus explains that he was soon to be leaving them physically but would still be with them through the Holy Spirit. In his prayer he says that he has made God the Father’s name known to them so that the love of God and Jesus will be in them.

Stating ‘In the name of Jesus’ is about consistency with his purpose and goal. Jesus spoke and acted in God the Father’s name by doing his will. As Jesus mirrored the Father, we are to mirror Jesus through living by the Holy Spirit.

Luke puts having our names written in heaven as something of greatest importance, quoting Jesus. Here the name refers to whether we are known to God. As part of being an overcomer and expressing humanity as God intends we are given a new name. These names form the foundations of the new Kingdom of God.