I think my favorite promise in the Bible is Revelation 2:17. It’s not quoted too often but in it Jesus gives a deeply personal promise.  The verse says...

 

"To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it."

 

I love that, especially the last past about the new name. That, I think, really speaks to what it means to have a relationship with Jesus. 

 

So let’s start with who the promise is given to.  Our verse says it’s given to the person who is victorious.  

 

In 2 Timothy 4:7 Paul talks about “finishing the race” and  how he "kept the faith". So, the person who’s victorious, the person that this promise is made to, is someone who has kept their faith in Jesus.  

 

Now by keeping faith in Jesus what I mean is someone who simply trusts that Jesus has paid for their sin and has made peace with the Father on their behalf.  It’s believing that Jesus has done for us what we could not do for ourselves.

 

So this promise is given to someone who trusts in Jesus as their Savior and has a relationship with him. Jesus gives that person a white stone with a new name written on it. 

 

In ancient times a white stone was given to athletes when they were victorious and in the ancient courts a white stone was given to a person who was found innocent. So there’s  a lot of symbolism there with gaining victory over sin through Jesus and being declared innocent as a result.

 

So Jesus promises that if you have faith in Him He will give you a new name and this name will only be known by you and Him.

 

Let me ask you, what is your name?  I don’t mean your legal name or even your nickname, I mean what is your true name?  The name that only you and Jesus know.

 

Is your name Depression or Anxiety or Fear?  Is it Addiction, Greed or Pride? Anger, Lust or Hopelessness? Is your name Unworthy or Unappreciated or Unloved? 

 

Jesus will give you a new name.

 

The world may have discarded you.  You may even have discarded yourself but then Jesus comes along and redeems you, restores you and makes you His treasure. 

 

Jesus gives you beauty for ashes, strength for fear, joy for sadness and peace for despair.  

 

The Bible says that in Christ you are a new creation.  He creates in you a new heart and a new spirit and He loves you and values you. He fulfills every longing that you have to be accepted. 

Jesus gives you a new name.

 

He says to you “This is what the world has called you. And this is what you’ve called yourself.  But from now on you will be called by the name which I have called you. Beloved, Accepted, Favored, Forgiven, Valued, Pure...a name that is more wonderful than any you could ever imagine."  

 

That’s what a relationship with Jesus looks like.