Nicknames

 

Growing up, I had two nicknames.  My brothers and cousins called me Bubbie.  Bubbie is not much better than Bubba, but a little better.  And because I was solitary growing up, my Granny Whitely called me Turkey.  Another not-too-flattering nickname.  Fast forward fifty years.  My granddaughter had a baby doll that she loved.  It had a cute vinyl head with vinyl forearms and legs sewn onto a cotton body which gave her a comfortable feel.  But one evening, Mary Kate left her baby doll outside and it rained.  The next day, the doll was drenched, giving her the nickname of Heavy Baby.  Not a very sweet name, but an accurate name, nonetheless.  Hey, Jesus had many names too, one of which was Man of Sorrows, found in Isaiah 53:3.  Not a very pleasant name, but a wonderful name because of the next two verses: Isaiah 53:4&5, “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”  Jesus was stricken and smitten for us sinners!  He took the pain, the shame, and the suffering of Calvary’s cross for us!  So, to us, who are born again into God’s forever family, Man of Sorrows is a meaningful, wonderful name!  Yes, it is!