A Name or being Named

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Scripture

21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”  22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23     “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
        and they shall name him Emmanuel,”
which means, “God is with us.”

Observation

The angel came and spoke a few simple words to Joseph, but they were profound. The son which Mary would bear should be named Jesus. This is the name that people would call him and the one that would be recognized through the centuries.

However, his actions would speak louder than a name given him and people would name him — Emmanual, for by his actions they would recognize, “God is with us.”

Application

Actions speak louder than words.

That’s something our moms told us growing up. But it’s the truth. The ways in which we act on a daily basis reveal who we really are.

Jesus’ actions revealed that God was among his people. His name became superseded by what people named him.

What would people say about us?  When our actions speak louder than our words — Who are we beyond on our name?

Prayer

Lord, may our lives reveal you today. Amen.

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