Connecting Point: Names Have Significance

For some, naming a child is a thoughtful task; for others, tradition plays a much larger role. As my wife and I were expecting the birth of our four children, we took time in the months leading up to that significant event to explore name options for each of them. We explored meanings behind names, and examples seen in the Bible and considered past family members as kind of a balanced approach. I cherish the memories of those moments, with my hand resting on the womb of their mother, filled with joy and laughter.

In Zachariah’s and Elizabeth’s case in Luke chapter one, they named their new son going against tradition. “On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zachariah, but his mother spoke up and said, ‘No! He is to be called John.’ They said to her, ‘There is no one among your relatives who has that name.’ Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, ‘His name is John.’ Immediately his mouth was opened, and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea, people were talking about all these things. Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, ‘What then is this child going to be?’ For the Lord’s hand was with him,” (Luke 1:59-66).

Rather than keeping with the father’s name, they both followed the angel’s previous instruction to name him John. First Elizabeth was questioned, then family and friends went to the mute father, Zechariah. He had been silent for nearly nine months! What kind of answer would they get from him? Well, Zachariah learned to communicate by tablet and wrote “His name is John.” At that moment he could speak again.

In Hebrew John means, God is gracious. A significant message and at an important time in history. So, Zechariah and Elizabeth broke away from what was cultural or traditional and followed what God had desired. Remember standing against culture came at a cost at times. The text goes on to describe how John’s birth brought about some amazement and awe, “…the Lord’s hand was with him (John).”

Also take note that Zechariah didn’t complain but he sang out praises and even prophesied after those long months of silence. Both Zechariah and Elizabeth were in tune, responding out of decades of doubt and question. Why would they not name their son John? For they understood God’s graciousness in a very special way.

Culture and tradition may change. On this side of the Cross of Christ, what is timeless is the grace of God given to anyone who repents of their sin and trusts in Christ for salvation. In fact, we who are “saved” continually rely on Christ as our righteousness. The Cross confronts cultural boundaries, even legalistic practices, and places our attention where our faith needs to be directed…Jesus!

Zechariah, Elizabeth, and John are part of the bigger picture, all pointing to Jesus as the Savior and Messiah for humanity. Be careful in allowing culture to drown out the message of Jesus whether that be through holiday or family tradition.