beloved

"You have been called by a new name

that the mouth of the Lord has bestowed."

Isaiah 62:2

Jesus does more than give us nicknames, he gives us new names. You are Simon-called-Peter. You are the rock upon which the church is built.

Your new name is a family name. It has been handed down, generation to generation. Many who have gone before you have had the same name. The first one to have it is Jesus.

Your new name is Jesus. Jesus means “God saves”. Your new name means “God saves.”

You also inherit his title of “Christ”. “Christ” means “Anointed One”. You are anointed by God.

If this seems heresy to you it is only because it is extravagantly gracious and we are piteously undeserving of such high honor.

It is not heresy; you needn’t worry. Isaiah 61 is not only for Jesus of Nazareth, it is for Hannah of Chicago and Enrique de Madrid. As apprentices of Jesus, we are in the makings of becoming like the Master, of carrying on his good name and good work. The only shock to our system should be that we have received his name before completing our training, instead of afterwards.

Your new name assures you that you are not your own; you belong irrevocably to him.

Your new name is also Beloved. This name is both your salvation and your anointing.

You call me by a new name,

which you gave me from your Name.