What is in a Name ?

Based on Luke 1:59 - 63


When it was time for John to be circumcised the people called him Zacharias but Elizabeth informed them that he will be called John. This astonished the people because in the olden days when a child was named after the father it meant that he would walk after the fathers footsteps. This means if he was named Zacharias he would also grow up to minister as a high priest. Everyday his father would teach him what to do and how to act like him. Therefore when Elizabeth said she did not want that name, to the people it meant she was saying I don't want my son to walk after his fathers footsteps. Or rather there was no one who would carry on the fathers name since he was the only child at that time. To them it did not make any sense, but when Zacharias also affirmed that he also wanted that name then it was final that the baby would be named John.

Now what was the big deal about a name or what is in a name? Well like we said it stated a lot about who you are and who you will be. In 2 Chronicles 7:14 it starts by saying; If my people who are called by my name.. ... We are Gods chosen and we are called by his name. Wherever we go we carry our fathers name and we are to live according to that name. Every action should be in accordance to that name. Meaning our life should be like the life he lived when here on earth. As you live each day remember you are called by our heavenly fathers name. Every word, action and thought should be like our fathers.