Who Is Your Daddy?
“Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” John 13:13-14
It’s been 40 plus years now, that I was searching for baby boy names. I thumbed through the pages of the baby name book and pondered long the ones that made me smile. I doodled on old envelopes different name combinations, adding family names alongside the popular ones. I never really paid attention to the meaning of the names, but have come to love the definition or character of a name.
We all carry family names as our last name. Those names get passed down from generation to generation. In biblical times the name was given to describe the character of a person. A name is not just what we are called, but is weighty in describing you. When a name is mentioned, you have a thought or a memory that is associated with it. Sometimes there is an “AAAAAAhhhh!” when a name is spoken, while others bring an, “OOOOOOhhhh...”
I well-remember an experience I had when I was in high school. I had bought a skirt that had no matching blouse, but I was certain that I could find one. After searching racks throughout my small hometown, at last I braved entering the store that was totally off limits for my tiny paycheck. As I stepped through the doors I felt the stares and could almost hear the thoughts bouncing from the walls as loudly as the squeaky wood floors.
“Who is she? What is she doing in here?”
Wouldn’t you know it? There it was tucked among the neatly hung blouses. The perfect one for my skirt. In my imagination, I could feel myself twirling around in the beautiful outfit, but there stood one issue in the way. Would it match and could I afford it?
Back in those days, you could take home an item on approval, before purchasing. I know, it is unbelievable, but that was what you did in the little Georgia cotton mill town that I grew up in. You simply signed your name on a receipt tablet, where they listed the item you took home on approval.
I remember the lady scowling down at me and firmly asking, “Who is your Daddy?” I quickly answered, “Ted Matthews,” to which she shockingly responded, “Honey, if your daddy is Ted Matthews, you can take home anything in this store. You don’t even need to sign a paper. Take it home and see if it matches and if so just bring back the money.”
Wow! I left that store with my head held high. I was so proud to belong to Ted Matthews. It was all dependent on my daddy's name and my daddy's character. Because of him I was given great privilege and favor. I don’t remember anything about that blouse or even if I purchased it, but I well-remember the feeling that I received from that encounter.
My daddy had taught me that it matters how we live our life. Our name matters. Our reputation matters; and our character matters. But he also taught me about another name far greater than his or my name, and that was the name of my heavenly daddy.
Because of His character and His reputation, I can take home everything in His store. Jesus died for me and purchased eternal life for me, and along with that amazing salvation comes great favor, privilege and blessing.
Romans 8:32 says it like this:
"He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"
I bear His name. It is a name that is above all other names given on earth. There is no situation that is above the name of Jesus. No matter what we face, our first option should be to call upon the name of Jesus Christ. Remember what He promised.
“Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” John 13:13-14
Who is your Daddy? Jesus!
Use His glorious name.
There is power in His name.
There is authority in His name.
There is freedom and deliverance in His name.
There is healing in His name.
There is strength in His name.
There is peace in His name.
What a family name we own! Wear it with great joy and pride. Speak it out loud. Declare it from the mountain top and deep down in the valley. With that name, the name above every name, is everything that we need.