A Common Name with An Uncommon Love
I'm sitting here with my first (successful!) fried egg, five pieces of bacon, and my second cup of coffee for some brunch. Yum! On top of that, I have just completed Day 1 of 90 with the One and Only Jesus, a devotional written by Beth Moore. I just love her, she is so remarkable. I have written a shorter blog on a beautiful reminder for us to remember this morning.
In my devotion this morning I had read from Luke 1: 26-33 where I learned how God's promises are consistent by how He proclaimed to Mary that she will give birth to the Messiah. Lord of all. Adonai. (He promised in Isaiah 7:14). Now Beth Moore focused in on something that I absolutely admired, she has said, "I doubt the thought occurred to anyone that he would transmit the most glorious news ever heard in all the world to a simple Galilean girl." Continuing, in verse 28 it says that this "simple Galilean girl" is highly favored by God Himself. I bet you that the people in Mary's village saw her as nothing but another girl that will reproduce and clean until she is too weak. Furthermore, in verse 31 it says, "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus." Learning from Beth Moore, in this generation the name 'Jesus' translated into Hebrew is Yeshu'a or Joshua. This name was very common. It's ironic that the One who received a common name, "came to seek and to save common people like me" (Beth Moore). Although 'Jesus' was a common name, His role was uncommon from the rest.
God could have chosen a girl that was wealthy. God could have given Jesus a more 'unique' name. Why didn't He? Jesus didn't die for those are are "put-together," "wealthy," or the "popular." He came for the helpless, the poor, and the outcasts. It is when we meet God that our insecurities are wiped away and we find security in Him. It is when we meet God that we notice we are broken but He puts us together! He is the one person that 10/10 people find rescue.
Ladies and Girls: God chose a simple Galilean girl to give birth to the Messiah and Jesus revealed Himself risen from the dead to a prostitute before His disciples. Whether your teeth are straight or crooked, your waist is thin or thick, or your GPA is a 2.0 or 4.0, you are highly favored in His eyes! This culture manipulates our minds and hearts into needing to change who we are for the world. Do not take another step in that route. Change your direction to the One who matters most.
I pray that Jesus, such a common name, will be the most important and consistent word on my lips. May we all feel highly favored in this simple body. I love how comprehendible and captivating God is. "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven" (Matthew 6: 19-20).
For more peace read Psalms 62: 5-7.
I am grateful and He is gracious. Happy Day!
Xo: Ken
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