Can you quickly list at least three names of Jesus? Ready? Go.
The past couple months at CrossLife, we’ve been studying and celebrating in worship some different names of Jesus. Christ Crucified. Emmanuel. The Way. King. And more.
On Sunday I challenged people to list at least 5 of the 7 names we’ve included in the series.
Then I emphasized that there’s one name not on that list that is extremely important. One name that if it’s not on the list, all the other names of Jesus don’t matter one bit. I asked them what that name is, and heard some excellent guesses like Son of God and Messiah. Those are more names of Jesus that are very meaningful, but not the name I was thinking of.
I raised the bar and actually told people that they’d never guess this name, and they didn’t. Do you know the name? It’s your name.
Jesus called Mary Magdalene’s name when he personally met her and chased away her darkness. Later, after he died and rose, Jesus called her by name again and it changed her world.
She was confused, sad and disappointed. She saw a man in the garden near Jesus’ tomb and thought it was the gardener. It was Jesus. Then “Jesus said to her, ‘Mary’” (John 20:16). And she understood, she was overjoyed, she worshiped, she believed, she found peace and new life.
Because Jesus called her name. Jesus attached her name to the list of all his names. That’s what matters the most. Jesus isn’t a Savior without someone to save. And you’re not saved without Jesus as your Savior.
Jesus calls your name, too.
Your name is the most meaningful word in the universe that can be spoken. It’s your identity. It’s everything there is about you, your past, your present, your future. Jesus calls you by name when you are baptized, and he still calls you by name.
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1).
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, I’m so glad that you know my name and call my name. I believe that you love me both powerfully and personally. Make me so glad and eager that I also speak your name to others. Amen.
FURTHER MEDITATION: Browse the messages in The Greatest Name series and share one with a friend: https://crosslifepf.org/messages/series/the-greatest-name-2022/
