Hello Hump Day readers. I hope your New Year start has been one with blessings and hope for this year and beyond. In fact, our hope is truly in ONE name—Jesus. And this last week of a young man, Damar Hamlin experienced that powerful name! When all was lost, his parents told the world that they “hung on to the precious name of Jesus who heals” and I wept. We need to hear that in our world today, we need to know we have help always—and always!

The other day I had enough of football and was roaming around for a good movie and guess what, it was Romeo & Juliet, the one from the late 60’s. I loved it, and have watched it many times but not for quite a long time so of course I had to settle in with popcorn and Kleenex to watch this incredible yet sad love story.

As soon as Juliet asks the question, “What’s in a name?” I grabbed my pen and notebook and wrote to myself “this would make a good devotion.” Yes, my mind can wander all over the place even in a favorite movie! But, think of her question—why did she say this? If you remember the movie, it was status in that time and the name ‘Montague’ for Juliet was not good, the Montague family were sworn enemies of her family, the ‘Capulets.’

Since this was a Shakespeare story, I wondered why this feud? Did the playwright use real people with disguised names as the cornerstone of his play—yes he did. It originated from a real political faction of 13th century Italy. The Italian names were ‘Montecchi’ and ‘Capuleti’ who bitterly fought over political supremacy and left a legacy of hatred and violence. No wonder Juliet had to sneak out to see her love and tell him his name didn’t matter to her because she loved him for himself, not his family and money. I suppose we could say, in that sense, names don’t really mean too much, do they?

And that brings me to the name of Jesus, the power who last week healed Damar Hamlin and probably thousands of others we may not know. The power in Jesus’ name is not one striving for prosperity, fame, or political prowess. In fact, it is about humility, loving and caring for others, and reminding us that Jesus’ name means “He will save His people from their sins.” What other name can do this? Matthew wrote (1:21-from The Voice):

She will have a son,
and you will name Him Jesus,
which means “the Lord saves,”
because this Jesus is the person who
will save all of His people from sin.

When Isaiah prophesied the coming Messiah, he gives us four of the names by which this Messiah was to be known: Counselor, God, Father, Prince of Peace. Wow, now that is some power in a name! We can strive for peace in this world, but like the feuds of Romeo & Juliet, our lives are fraught with bickering, division and dysfunction. This Prince of Peace put to death the enmity between God and humanity’s sins, giving us the peace we need to live out our faith walk on this planet.

So, what does the name of Jesus mean – everything! Everything we have ever needed and wanted; everything that gives us life now and to eternity. I am ending this devotion with one of the most beautiful descriptions of the names of Jesus done by Don Moen. It has been sung in his cantatas, read in churches, and put into wall-hangings and pictures…only because of the power of His Name, AMEN!