All in a Name

Yes, there were other persons who had the name that we translate Jesus, most notably Joshua, Moses' lieutenant, who bravely led Israel into the promised land.

He was indeed a chosen one, worthy of the name.

In that tradition is Jesus of Nazareth.

His whole life shows how he is the one most worthy to bear the name.

To him should all in heaven and earth bow with honor.

Hail to the Lord's anointed!

Yet, he is the one who allows himself to be addressed by name by us!

It is a wonder, indeed.

So, what next?

What shall be our response to this name?

(1) In this past week we have already talked about the first response:

it is to be right here, engaged in praise.

Could any of us possibly have a better use for our time?

The Bible and the whole history of God's people bear witness that unless this core activity is solidly understood and practiced, none of the rest of life will make much sense.

Despair is ready to latch onto us if we falter in worship.

This year in the Thursday morning Bible study at 6:31 we are reading the books of Chronicles where this point is pounded home again and again.

Right worship (orthodoxy) cements the true relationship with God;

faulty worship obscures that relationship.

Thus, it is quite right and proper that we begin this calendar year in worship, where we gather in the name of Christ.

It signifies that our gathering is not just any group of people, a club, or a social organization,

but rather it is a part of that long line of people of all times and places who join with the heavenly hosts in the hymn now sung forever because of what God has done.

(2) To honor the Name of Jesus is not only to praise him, but also to call upon him faithfully in prayer.

--J.S. Bach placed the letters J.J. at the beginning of manuscripts.

The letters stand for Jesus help me.

--at mealtime

--at bedtime, upon arising, or in the shower,

--when observing the beauty of ice crystals, or a sunset

--at a hospital crisis.

So, being “instant in prayer” as the scripture terms it, is a way to continue to honor the name of Jesus.

(3) And this leads to the 3^rd way after praise and prayer: everything else that you and I do!

Think about all of the many things that lie before us in 2012: school, work, kitchen, driving, playing talking, etc.

Now we need to remind ourselves that all of these things are done in the name of Christ Jesus.

There is no way around it.

You and I are Christians, ones claimed by Jesus.

--not 10%, or 50%, but totally, 100%.

And, we have been sent as Christ's ambassadors in every one of those ordinary places.

We are his designated representatives on the shop floor, the playground, the beauty parlor, and everywhere else.

The question is not if we are Christ's ambassadors --that was settled when we were baptized – but rather, what kind of ambassadors we are, good or poor?

For example:

What kind of language do we use?

How do we treat our companions in the faith?

How do we treat our enemies?

In how many ways are we Christ's ambassadors today?

This festival day of the Name of Jesus turns out to be about our name as well as that of Jesus.

we dare not forget that we all share a name, one which we received at Baptism.

One of our names may be Jane or John, but another of them is always “Christian”, an “anointed one”.

By that name you and I are anointed to do all that we do in the name of Jesus, to bear that name into every corner of our everyday world, so that others might see Jesus coming into the world through us.

[And speaking of Baptism, this is a special day in our family, because 6 years ago today our granddaughter Emma was baptized, and 28 years ago today our son David was baptized.]

Doing all that we do in the name of Jesus is indeed a lifetime job, but it is one which we are equipped to do “in the name of Jesus” each time that we gather around font, table, and reading desk and here receive the promise of the name of Jesus, which is “the Lord saves.”

May Jesus the Lord bless us, and keep us in his name every moment of the day, and make us to be a blessing to everyone whose life we touch. Amen.

Please note: The preceding sermon is provided as a resource for the thought, prayer, and meditation of the members and friends of St. Mark's. It is the residue of a verbal event, and thus it does not have academic footnotes and other details that would be expected in a written document. The writer gladly acknowledges the prior thought and work of many Christians before him.