Daily Reading
When John the Baptist was born, everyone expected him to be given a family name. After all, that was the tradition in first-century Judaism. A child would take on a name which had some family significance and meaning. Elizabeth, however, vetoed the traditional naming process. As a first-century Jewish woman, she spoke up, defying custom, and pronounced that her son's name would not be Zechariah like his father, but John. And, more than that – Zechariah supported her! People were astonished then, and we ought to be now as well, for God is in the business of giving us new names and new identities.
When Jesus comes, He establishes a new family. And we become adopted sons and daughters of the King. Elizabeth and Zechariah were humble enough to see this, but sometimes we're not. Sometimes, we think we know better. We craft our own identities. We enthrone ourselves. And in doing so, we miss the opportunity to hear the gentle whisper of God speaking our new name. In that day, people responded by asking, "What will this child turn out to be?" As we listen, we hear what God longs for us to be – royal sons and daughters in His new creation, with a new name and new identity that isn't dependent on how people view us or whether they approve of us.
Will you receive your new name, or continue to live from the names others expect you to have?