The Twenty Six Days of Advent - "C" - "Called"

December 2, 2013 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, God’s own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9). Everyone loves to be called by their name. Whether it is a new teacher at school, our boss on a new job, getting acquainted with a new friend, meeting new people at church or a new civic organization we have recently joined – we like to know that people care enough to remember our name (especially after a little time). It is understandable that most would have difficulty remembering very different and difficult names of people they have recently met or are seldom with. But you would be surprised that as easy and common as my name is, Mary Jones, is quickly forgotten by some. Some people have a gift of remembering, but mostly I think one has to work at and practice remembering and it is important to people to be called by their correct name. But there is one Who created us who never forgets our name and if we know Him, He will some day give us a new name in heaven that no one will know or understand that name except the one who receives it (Rev.2:17). I believe God will call us by that new name and we will recognize it. In some countries babies’ names were descriptive of that child. Some were not named immediately after birth but the parents waited for a while, for whatever reason. In the Bible Manoah and his wife called their son “Samson,” which means “sunshine.” In Exodus 2, Pharoah’s daughter rescued Moses from the water and called him “Moses,” “Because I drew him out of the water.” Also, in the Bible God told several what their coming baby should be named. God told Hagar, Abraham’s wife’s handmaiden, that she was to call Abraham’s baby she was carrying, Ishmael, which means “God hears” (Genesis 16:11). Later in Genesis 17:15, God said Sarai was to be renamed and to be called “Sarah,” which means “princess.” Then in Genesis 17:19, Abaham and Sarah’s son was to be born and he was to be called Isaac, which means, “laughter.” There are many more, too many to name in this space, but there is one which is the most significant to the entire world and all of mankind. His name was called, “JESUS.” “And her (Mary’s) promised husband, Joseph, being a just and upright man and not willing to shame and disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her quietly and secretly. But as he was thinking this over, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua, which means Savior, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 2:19-21) God said in Matthew 2:15, “Out of Egypt have I called My Son,” referring to when Herod was trying to kill all the babies and Mary and Joseph, with Jesus, fled to Egypt. So the prophecies would be fulfilled He was called a “Nazarene” (Branch, Separated One, (Isa.11:1) (Matt. 2:21). Jesus was called “Christ” (anointed One) (Matt.27:22). In Luke 1:32 it says, He will be called the Son of the Most High. Throughout Jesus’ lifetime He was called and manifested many names, whose meanings of which we are the blessed beneficiaries. Thank You, Father for giving us Your Son, and for calling Him, JESUS, Savior! “Because He Lives” Gloria and William Gaither God sent His Son, they called Him Jesus. He came to love, heal and forgive; He lived and died to buy my pardon. An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives. Because He lives I can face tomorrow. Because He lives all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future and life is worth the living just because He lives.