Jesus said: “I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. …I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.”
Revelation 3:11-12 

A few years ago, my husband and I were doing some spring cleaning and Joe was washing all the windows on our three-­-season porch. He had the screens off and our sons were playing in the front yard. Wyatt, who was 5 years old at the time, was playing out in the front yard and Joe started teasing him.

“Hey kid, get off my lawn!”

“But dad, I’m your son. I live here!”

“No, I don’t think I have any kids.”

“You have three – three boys – and Sam and Corin are inside.”

After a little more teasing, Wyatt finally responded with, “Dad, you gave me my name! It’s Wyatt because you’re from out West.”

“You gave me my name.” Isn’t that the ultimate way we know we “belong” to someone or something? Wives take their husbands names often as a way to emphasize that they have become one with their new spouse. Children have names their parents carefully chose. Often our names have significance, whether we’re named after a family member or because the meaning of our name was special to our parents. We have job or degree titles that identify us with a certain company or position. Names do more than merely describe us as an individual; they often connect us with someone or something greater than ourselves that has become part of our identity.

As Christians we bear our Savior’s name. We call ourselves Christians. What does that mean? It means we belong to Him. Christ gave us life. Christ bought us back from sin and death. We are His. Christ gives us all our blessings. He provides for us and cares for us.

We can proudly say, “We’re your children. You named us. We belong with you!” Isn’t that great! The Lord of creation not only gave us his life, but he gave us his name as well.

And now you have your answer to that old question, “When you’re standing at the Pearly Gates and God asks why he should let you into heaven, what will you say?”

“But Dad, I’m your child. I live here! You gave me my name!” Thankfully, that’s just what he did!

Prayer: Dearest Heavenly Father, thank you for your great love, mercy, and sacrifice. It is only by your grace that I am a part of your family and you have made me an heir of everlasting life. Help me to “wear” your name proudly and be wrapped in the comfort and strength of all that name means. In your Great Name I pray, Amen.