Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
“Look, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a son,
and they shall name him Immanuel,”
which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife but had no marital relations with her until she had given birth to a son, and he named him Jesus.
Matthew 1:18-25
STORY
Names. Nicknames. Titles. These are all very significant to us for they provide a sense of personal identity. We take serious pride in personal designations for we accept them as a mirror of ourselves to others. Entwined with our ego they are inseparable from promoting or destroying our self-esteem.
The Secret Service has a long-standing practice of assigning code names to the presidents and presidential candidates they have sworn to protect. President George W. Bush was “Tumbler.” This was the code name assigned to him when his father was president, reflective of his behavior prior to his life changing encounter with evangelist Billy Graham. His father, George H. W. Bush, was “Timberwolf,” respectful of his Texas heritage. Ronald Regan was “Rawhide,” the true cowboy who occupied the Oval Office. Bill Clinton was “Eagle” and his wife, Hillary, still carries the designation “Evergreen.” Jimmy Carter was “Deacon,” acknowledging his position as a Sunday school teacher. Barrack Obama, because he was a social activist before becoming president, was designated as “Renegade.” Donald Trump is known as “Mogul,” because he is a wealthy and powerful businessman. Our current president, Joseph Biden, because of his Irish heritage, has the call sign of “Celtic.” Former Vice-President Al Gore was referred to as “Sawhorse.” After countless protest on his part, it was changed to “Sundance,” a designation he still found equally objectionable.
DEVOTION
Jesus had a code name assigned to him; it was “Immanuel.” The title was not ascribed by to him by a governmental committee; as it came directly from God through the voice of the prophet Isaiah who said, “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel.” This is more than just a code name, for it is a declaration of who Jesus is, meaning “God with us.”
Every four to eight years, depending, we look to “Deacon,” or “Rawhide,” or any of the others who occupy the Oval Office for leadership and guidance. We also know that no matter how well they perform their task of directing the economy, enforcing the laws of the land, overseeing the political process, and providing for national defense, the ability each is limited. Each president is limited by opposing political views, they are limited by special interest groups, they are limited by the economy, and they are limited by the lack of cooperation from other foreign heads of state. And most significantly, they are limited with the encumbrance of human frailties.
Jesus surpassed these limitations and all others for his personal identity is “Immanuel.” Immanuel overcomes all obstacles, for he is in fact the Word of God who became flesh to live among us. Jesus is our perfect guide and protector.
Points to Ponder
> What does the name Immanuel mean to you?
o For me: One of the most meaningful biblical passages for me is recorded in Isaiah 6:9 which reads, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” This is the most inspirational and comforting description of who Jesus is in my life.
> What code name would you give to Jesus?
o For me: As I have written previously, residing alone I live a rather isolated life. Therefore, throughout the day I am in a constant conversation with Jesus. With that in mind, I would give Jesus the code name of “friend.”
> What should be your code name?
o For me: In the army a chaplain does not wear his rank on his cap, but a religious emblem, for Christians this is a cross. When I was a chaplain, I considered this an honorable recognition of my place and function among the troops. It was my role not to command men and women, but to comfort them. In return, the soldiers did not address me by my rank, they instead addressed me as “Chappy.” I considered this to be a word of endearment. It meant that the soldiers under my care were comfortable and unguarded in my presence. The code name that I would like for myself this day is “Chappy.”
Please share other Points to Ponder so I can update my list
Please share your thoughts with me – if you desire I will publish them for others to read anonymously or first name only or your entire name as you choose