CELC The Name of Jesus

The Name of Jesus – January 1, 2006

Luke 2:22-40

Have you ever thought about what is in a name? If you read the creation story in Genesis 1 and 2 you will encounter there the importance of what is in a name. God has given humankind, Adam and Eve, the privilege and responsibility of naming all the animals, plants, and more. You see, humankind is given this privilege because according to God we have dominion over the rest of the world. So, we name.

The gospel story before us today is about the naming of Jesus. This was part of his circumcision ritual. And faithfully, Joseph and Mary have the child named Jesus. He is to be the savior. That is what his name means.

Our younger daughter we named Allison. Allison’s name in its Greek root, ‘aleathea’ means “truth” and I can witness to the fact she is truthful.

Knowing the name of someone or something can tell us about them. It can also let us think we have control over them. That is a mistake we parents can sometimes make. Because we name our children we think we have control over them. It isn’t the case. We have responsibility of raising them as people of faith, loving them, nurturing them, helping them grow up in God’s love. But control them? That is not a fruitful endeavor.

Sometimes, though, we feel we can do that with God. Because we can call upon God, we know the name, and even pray in the name of Jesus himself as he encouraged us to do; we think that we can tell God what to do. We feel we can control God.

What is at stake this morning, as we reflect on the naming of Jesus, our Lord, is remembering that faith is all about control. Who is in charge here? We would like to be, but the truth is that God is the one in charge. God is the Creator. We are the creatures. There is a difference. We can trust the Creator. We best not confuse being the creatures with being the Creator.

The folks gathered at the crucifixion thought they could control what God does. Remember that according to gospel of John Pilate had placed over the head of Jesus as he was crucified a sign that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” It was in three languages so all could see and understand. The Jewish leaders asked Pilate to rewrite it to read, “This man said, I am King of the Jews.” Pilate refused, and was faithful to God’s Word without even realizing it. For the one who is circumcised today and named Jesus does become the King of kings. The One who is crucified on the cross is indeed the King of all.

Because of the cross we are disciples. Jesus is the savior, the Lord of all of us who comes to us in mercy and forgiveness. That is the meaning of his cross. It reminds us of who the Creator is and who is the creature.

And try as we may, we cannot control Jesus simply because we know his name. Jesus is God’s Holy Son, our savior. He calls us to follow him to places we may not be ready to go. He comes down from the cross and identifies with the lost, the lonely, and the least in our world. We may find it hard to follow him to these folks who are unappealing to us. But, that is where Jesus calls us to be.

At Morning and Evening Prayer we have been studying the book of James. In the second chapter of James we read: “My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, ‘Have a seat here, please,’ while to the one who is poor you say, ‘Stand there,’ or, ‘Sit at my feet,’ have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you?”

Do we make distinctions? Do we welcome all people? Do we seek all people in the Name of Jesus?

That is the calling the Lord Jesus beckons us to as disciples: to seek all, to welcome all, to not make distinctions. The Creator God who has saved us in Jesus reminds us today who we are as followers of Jesus. In his Name may we seek and welcome all. It is our calling. Amen.

Pastor Robert F. Holley