At the beginning of life our parents spend time and discussion about what will they name their child. This process is one that is very important and sets a foundation for that life that will be theirs until they leave this earth.
While there is some emphasis on a name today as being really significant this was on a whole other level of importance in the Hebrew culture and the beginning of creation. Only in a look into Jesus' real Hebrew name that we discover the truth and the power that it is to pray in his name.
For me this journey began in 2013 when I was emerging as an artist and as every artist does they finish their work with the signing of their name, initials or symbols that equate the work to being their creation. It was in this place I felt that God spoke into my heart and said, "I don't want you to sign your name on the canvas, but mine and it's not the name Jesus, it is four Hebrew characters that I will reveal to you."
This was really significant for me because my weakness and stumbling point is the desire to be famous and take the glory. The amazing thing was that through this process the Father was teaching me that everything is all because of Him and Him being Yeshua ישוע.
Hebrew Roots Revealed...
You might have noticed that I did not say Jesus, but Yeshua. So without going any further let's give you a bit heritage from a Hebrew perspective about this amazing name. The name Yeshua is made up of 4 Hebrew characters and 3 of them being consonants that have so much meaning.
The name Yeshua is first mentioned in Genesis 49:18 which says, "I wait for your Salvation (Yeshua) O' God" and sets the foundation of this name or word as meaning salvation. The three power characters essentially tell us the Gospel when you break down each Hebrew character and the meaning.
When digging into the Hebrew roots there is such a depth that is lost in the transfer to the English language. One area is that in the Hebrew text each letter or character has a value and is actually seen as being alive and actually spoke to the Hebrew people on 4 different levels. The one we are focusing on in this piece is the picture value. This certainly brings a whole new meaning to God's word being the living Word. In Yeshua's name the first character we are introduced to is Yod י.
This character in ancient Hebrew looks like a closed hand and actually means there is in an action or deed that needs to take place. This character is actually referred to by Jesus when he says not the smallest character will be lost from the Torah (Matt 5:18). The next Hebrew character is Shin שwhich looks like teeth and this character means that something needs to be consumed or destroyed suggesting a battle is going on. Finally is the Ayin ע, which looks like an eye in ancient Hebrew and denotes the idea or response as to cast or look upon with your eyes.
So when you put these characters together this is what Jesus, or more accurately Yeshua means. To be saved or have salvation referring back to the foundational meaning in Genesis 49:18 then means there is an action to be done in which we are rescued from the enemy by destroying this force and as a result our complete devotion is the response from us as one who had been delivered. So what was done on the cross of Calvary was fulfilled in his name long before that very day.
Why is this important to know?
So why is it so important to know this deeper truth? The reason is because when Jesus himself teaches us to pray and cast out the forces of darkness he says to do it in his name. This name has power and this is even more profoundly demonstrated in the verse found in the letter to Philippians where it says "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Yeshua every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Yeshua Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
So this is the name that destroys the enemy (Colossians 2:15) and more exciting than that is that all God's precious children, that's us we bow down and worship this name for eternity and show our eternal great fullness to the unconditional love he demonstrated for us by giving his life (John 3:16).
So just like me in 2013 this article may inspire you to seek the Father about his Son's real name. From that moment in 2013 I have since signed those 4 Hebrew characters ישוע at the end of each piece of art that I do. It doesn't matter if it's a Christian work or one that is found in commercial business,the name Yeshua is released into the atmosphere of those places. And if this is the power and meaning in this name imagine what is happening in the lives of those who come into those places.
Our God is mysterious and leads us to wonder and to seek. My prayer is that those Hebrew characters provoke all creation to seek its meaning and my hope is that as we all worship on our knees in His heavenly Kingdom that we know the power of His name.
Justin Monaghan is currently launching as a professional prophetic artist under the label JR Faith Creations and runs a creative home fellowship with his wife Liana.Justin is also heavily involved in his local surfing community of South Australia as a surf coach, a judge of surf contests and a member of Christian Surfers
Check out JR Faith Creations to see some of his art at https://www.facebook.com/Jrfaithcreations
Justin Monaghan's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/justin-monaghan.html