Reflection - Names

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040716.cfm

Acts 5:27-33
John 3:31-36

Shakespeare was a master with words; and it is that very command of the language which makes the popular line from Romeo and Juliet all the more peculiar: "What's in a name? that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."

In an earlier age, people understood that the name a thing was given spoke to the essence of what it was. The notion was captured humorously in a Far Side cartoon entitled: "When Animals Introduce Themselves". Picture the scene. One dog is talking to another: I am Princess Ismeralda, Stainer of Persian Rugs.

In Eden, each of the newly created animals is brought before Adam, who then names them. Adam was doing more than just deciding whether to call them Tom, Dick or Harry. He was identifying by name the inner character of the animals, the essence of what they were. It is interesting in that regard that modern linguistics tells us that we cannot think about something until we name it. Further, knowing the correct name gave the person an element of control. That's why God refuses to tell Moses his name. 

"God said to Moses, " I AM WHO I AM."
And he said, "Say this to the sons of Israel,
'I AM has sent me to you.'"

In essence, God is refusing to tell Moses his name and from then on he is referred to as "the God of your fathers," or as "the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." God will not be controlled nor should his people think it is even possible.

I have three sons. Before each was born my wife and I spent hours deliberating the proper name for each, and that included choosing names that had what we thought were appropriate meanings. I'm sure many other parents do the same. My oldest son we named Eric Steven. His names mean 'steadfast ruler' and 'crown.' He practiced his name-given authority on his younger brothers and now exercises the same as an officer in a large corporation.

By the time our second son came along we had had enough of kiddie rulers, so we named our second son Jeffrey Adam. His names mean 'God's peace' and 'of the earth.' I'm sure you can understand the shift. We knew we named him correctly when he became the peacemaker between his older and younger brothers. He continues his peacemaking efforts today negotiating departmental politics in the communications department of the University of Kansas.

We were so satisfied with the outcome of our second naming that our third son was assigned the names Nathaniel Alan. The meanings tell us that he is 'God's gift' and that he is 'cheerful' and 'harmonious'. True to his names, he has indeed been a gift of God with his friendly and cheerful demeanor.

When the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary he told her what her son's name was to be and I'm sure the Father had seriously considered what name would be appropriate. In Hebrew the name is Yeshua. I am not a language scholar and the best I have been able to determine is that the name 'Jesus' comes to us from the Latin through the Greek. Yeshua in Greek is Yehsoos and the Latin transliteration of the Greek gives us 'Jesus?' So, what does the name mean? 

It appears that 'Yeshua' is a diminutive form of 'Yehosua' much the same as we might call 'Robert,' 'Rob' or 'Jillian' 'Jill'. In either case, we look to the meaning of the name. There are two very similar meanings that are offered. The first is the longer one: "shout to God when in need of help." The second is simpler: "God is the one who saves." The words correspond to the message given to Joseph in his dream: "she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21) There we have it. The very essence of who Jesus is is embodied in his name. He is the one to whom we must shout when we are in need of help. He alone is the one who saves. 

The Scriptures insist on this time and again.
"He who believes in him is not condemned." (John 3:18)
"To all who received him, who believed in his name,
he gave power to become children of God." (John 1:12)
"These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ,
the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name."
(John 20:31)

When the Apostles are found still teaching in the streets of Jerusalem, those in charge are disturbed. Why? What generated such concern within these people that the high priest and the Sanhedrin gave strict orders to "stop teaching in that name."? The same fear as we find in most anyone who exercises temporal power - the fear that a new power may replace them. The name of Jesus has power! And it will replace all that is not united with him.

In the name of Jesus the crippled can rise and walk.
In the name of Jesus the blind can see.
In the name of Jesus we have the power to become children of God.
In fact: "Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." (John 14:13)

There are some who preach a diluted form of Christianity, claiming we all worship the same God. But that is true only because there is, in fact, only one real God to worship. However, the Jews say God did not become man in the historical person of Jesus Christ. My God did. The Muslims deny that God is a Trinity and consider it blasphemous to refer to God as Father or to Jesus as his Son. That is not my God. Buddhism rejects any creator deity, so he rejects not just my God but any and all gods. The multiple gods of Hinduism are too disparate to allow for any meaningful comparison.

While I can respect the faith of others and even both welcome and encourage any search for the divine, I cannot personally concur with any position that diminishes the one I know as my Savior. It was the Father who raised Christ "from the dead and made him sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come." (Ephesians 1:20-22)

It was the Father who "highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11)

That takes us back to the beginning. What's in a name? If the name is Jesus then everything that is true, everything that is life, everything that is eternal - in short, everything that is important is in the name. It is the name to shout when we are in need. It is the name to cling to when we fear alienation from God.

Salvation!
Power!
Sonship!

This is what is in the name - the name of Jesus. It is the name at which every knee must bow. It is the name at which every tongue must confess that he, he alone, is Lord.

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus." (Colossians 3:17)