I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.
In today’s passage, Jesus once again shows us that he is not from around here. He says he is coming to the Father and that he will not “remain” in the world any longer. Jesus is a man who knows where he is going. He knows because he is also God, eternal and timeless.
He then asks that the Father protect those he leaves in the world. How? By the power of…?
Jesus asks that God keep his people protected by the power of His name. Then he adds, “… the name you gave me…” Now, which name is that? Whose name is that?
Jesus and the father have the same name! Jesus then adds another clue: “… so that they may be as one as we are one.”
If Jesus and the Father are one, it makes sense that they have the same name. In families, children are known by their father’s name as well. The only difference is that people have more than one name, first and last. But is that a difference? Does God have multiple names as well? Both Jesus and the Father are eternal. Both are beyond human knowledge. Both are the great, “I AM.”
When Jesus invites us into communion with him, he is offering to allow us communion with God Himself, through himself. We can enjoy the love and light that springs from the Father. We can find peace, happiness, and joy at last.
Food for Thought: What is in a name? What name do you think Jesus and the Father share?
I think they share a lot! Some of the things that stand out to me the most are that they share perfect fellowship, companionship, love, joy, and peace. We get glimpses of this in marriage, family, and the church but it is never perfect or with out discord. I look forward to the day when our fellowship will be like the Father and Son’s.
Thank you Jeff. This is another excellent devotion. I agree with Nathan’s comments. They have a lot in common, because they are one – Yahweh Father and Yahweh the Son. When we want to know what the Father is like, we only have to look at the character of the Son (Hebrews 1: 1 – 3; John 14: 6 – 9; John 1:18; John 10: 30; Colossians 1: 15 – 17).
At least two additional names come to mind from Isaiah 9:6…the mighty God, and the Everlasting Father. John 1:1 simply identifies “God.” As referenced of Jesus in Revelation 19:12, there are likely names that They share that only They know. All of God’s names (e.g. Faithful, True, Redeemer) accurately describe Their character.
Good references JEC. Isaiah 9: 6 is a great verse.
Thank you, all, for the great comments! The Isaiah 9:6 verse is especially interesting because it provides a kind of Rosetta Stone insight into who Jesus is:
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.
One can understand Jesus being called “Counselor” and “Prince” but how can we understand Jesus being called “Father” or “God” unless He and the Father are truly one?