Name

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Name

Save    Redeem

Humble   Obedient   Servant

Jesus Christ Is Lord

Exalt

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   Philippians 2:9 

God greatly exalted Jesus and gave Him a name that is above every other name.

Reflection

We are all curious to know the origin and meaning of the names of different people we encounter. Some names are common and easy to comprehend. Others are unusual and cause us to wonder why someone might have that particular name.

Some names have a special importance and reveal a lot about the person or about the one or couple who gave the name. In our passage from Philippians, we learn that Jesus received His name from God. It is a name that means "the one who saves".

We learn that Jesus has come to redeem us. Sometimes we take this for granted; but when you reflect on it, you realize that this is an indication of how deeply God loves us. God did not have to send Jesus to redeem us. God cares for us this much!

Jesus humbled Himself to become one with us. He was obedient to what God asked of Him. He trusted in God's plan for Him. 

Jesus came to serve us. He knew the problems we face. He came to help and to heal. He reached out to those who others ignored---the lepers, the tax collectors, the prostitutes, the widows, and the poor.

As we experience Jesus in our lives, we come to realize that Jesus is Lord. We are committed to Jesus because we believe in His mission and in His message. He has the words of eternal life and shows us how to live a life of caring for our sisters and brothers and gives us the strength to truly help others.

God has exalted Jesus so that He can come into our lives to lift us up. Jesus wants us to know how deeply we are loved. His name tells it all. He has come to save!

1. What does your name indicate about you?

2. What does the name of Jesus tell us about Him?

3. How did Jesus humble Himself?

4. How do you try to be humble?

5. Why are you committed to Jesus?

6. What do you feel as you reflect on Kathy's photo?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)