It's All in a Name

When Jacob wrestles with the stranger in the night, he demands to know his name, but the stranger turns away the question with another question “Why do you ask my name?” and gave his blessing instead. [G32:29]

When Moses is tending the flocks in the wilderness and is attracted by the bush that is burning but not consumed, and hears the voice of God commissioning him to the task of leading his people out of bondage in Egypt, he says that he needs to know God's name in order to authenticate this call to the folks back in Egypt.

“I AM WHO I AM.” is the enigmatic reply which might also mean “I will be who I will be” or “Who causes to be”, a verb form, not a noun, not a typical name at all.

Moses is not getting a simple answer, is he?

God is not going to come under his control by the giving of a name, but instead in the citing of relationships.

“Thus you shall say to the Israelites, The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you: This is my name forever, this is my title for all generations.” [E3:15]

How many different ways and centuries did they experience clinging to and falling away from that promise that God made to be God for them!

How many heartaches did God have before he decided that the time was right to reveal his love in another way!

To Joseph the heavenly visitor says that the child to be born is to be named Jesus, which is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua meaning “he will save”, and indicating that he will save people from their sins.[Mt1:21]

To Mary the heavenly visitor says that the child will be holy, the Son of God.[Lk1:35]

While others are mystified, the unclean spirits cast out by Jesus proclaim: “I know who you are...the Holy One from God.” [Mk1:24]

At Caesarea Phillipi Peter finally blurts out, “You are the Messiah.”[Mk8:29]

In the courtyard, Peter denies any knowledge: “I do not know this man you are talking about.” [Mk14:71]

At the cross, the Roman centurion marvels, “Truly, this man was God's Son.”[Mk15:39]

In the first of the resurrection stories in John we hear Mary Magdalene address Jesus with the title Rabbouni, or “teacher”. [Jn20:16]

Most of theses words are about relationships, and we are having them function like names.

In Jesus, God is come close to us, as close as he possibly can.

He fully participates in human life.

He fully faces human death, and conquers it.

His name is the clue for what God is doing; He saves: Joshua, Jesus, in Hebrew or Greek.

We wish we knew more, but that is as much of a “handle” on God as he has given us;

and really it is as much as we need.

We have confidence that God makes positive promises, and keeps them, and that he has named us his own people, weaving us into that web of relationships in Holy Baptism.

And so this night we know that the name of Jesus and its promise is on the way to its fulfillment and so with delight we say

Christ is risen. HE IS RISEN INDEED. 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.