What Would Your Name Mean?

This week I was, “Is Jesus ever called Immanuel in the Bible?” The short answer is not for English readers, or, Western minds. The issue of naming in the Middle East, and indeed in many other cultures, is not a once for all task. The naming of a child is given a great deal of thought and is intended to express past family accomplishments/faith and future hopes. For that reason as children grow to adults their names are embellished with their character as in the Native American naming highlighted in the movie Dances With Wolves.

The prophecy through Isaiah , "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14) fulfilled in Jesus according to Matthew, "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' which means, 'God with us'" (Matthew 1:22-23). This does not mean, however, that the Messiah’s name would actually be Immanuel. That was His personage while His name was His mission, to be God’s salvation, is given in His given name, Jesus.

All this got me to thinking about my name and if there could be qualifiers I could wear? Sherman is a pretty mundane name meaning, “cutter of cloth, or, shearer of sheep.” Ok, that is my name, but, could I have a separate category of name titled, “he shall be called”? Jesus got some pretty astounding ‘secondary’ names like “Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

All of that to ask this question, “Given that we are to be like Christ would it be a good idea to give some thought to a few “he shall be calleds” (HSBC for short) for ourselves?

“For to John & Marge a child is born, to them a son is given, and the ministry shall be upon his heart and he shall be called Servant to God’s Church, Speaker of God’s Truth, Testimony of God’s Grace, Loyal Husband, Gracious Father, Dotting Grandfather, and, Constant Student of God’s Word.” For Jesus it was a prophecy certain to be fulfilled. For me it a humble prayer I strive to earn.

Why don’t you give it try? What would your HSBC say of you?