The Power of a Name

There is great power in the name of Christ.

Names are really important. Some parents choose names in hopes that a newborn will grow to become like someone they admire. In most legislative bodies, proper names are not used or can only be used with permission of the moderator. For example, a legislator might refer to “my friend from Alabama” or “the gentle lady from the 8th District”. Avoiding proper names reflects the wisdom of history. It is a way to subtly remind others that debates are not personal but rather from the perspective of who the legislator represents. Also, using a title conveys respect– the reminder of a personal relationship helps reduce the temperature of the discussion.

There is no more important or descriptive name in the human history than the name that God gives himself to Moses in Exodus 3:13-14,  "Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” This is most often translated YHWH (Yahweh with vowels), or Jehovah (Latin), or LORD in our modern Bibles. From the beginning of time, God’s name was of utmost importance and sacred. Jews considered the name of God YHWH too sacred and personal to even voice and feared breaking the Commandments by accidentally taking the Lord’s name in vain.

Scripture also gives us several other names for God. Many are more like titles and reflect aspects of His character (e.g., Holy, Almighty, Just); some are taken from creation (e.g., the Rock, a Light); some from human experience (e.g., Father, Bridegroom, Maker); some in metaphorical human terms (e.g., face, arm.) All of these names give us a human perspective on what we could not otherwise understand. We know God is love and can experience love in our lives that reflects God’s love, although imperfectly this side of heaven.

Imagine if someone asked you your name and you said, “I am.” They would say “I am what?” This could go on endlessly like the old comedy skit “Who’s on First?”. They would probably think you are trying to be evasive. But in relation to God’s name for Himself, it is not evasive. It is a complete, concise, accurate and beautiful answer. I am (fill in the blank) everything. He is eternal. He was not created, nor does He need anything else to exist. He is completely sovereign. He is all knowing. He is all powerful. He is always present, everywhere and at all times. He is not only loving or just, but He is the Source of all love and justice. He is perfect and never changes. We could go on and on.

Continuing into the New Testament, Jesus models for us to pray that His name be “hallowed”. We are also told that someday at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord.

This understanding brings clarity to Jesus’ confession in John 8:57-59,  "So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple."

Jesus is crystal clear about His identity. The Jews did not need a translation to understand that he was referring to himself as the very same and only God as Abraham. That’s why they immediately tried to stone him as the penalty for blasphemy. John later begins his gospel by explaining that in the beginning the Word which became flesh was both with God and was God. Perhaps the most amazing name given to Jesus in the book of Philippians is humble. It says He did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped but rather humbled himself by taking on human form. In fact, Jesus described himself as “gentle and lowly of heart”. Amazing for the God of the universe.

We often say we are trying to “make a name for ourselves”. Nothing wrong with trying to be noticed. Hopefully, we will make a good name for ourselves by our words and actions. But let’s go back to the legislative example where we started. Yes, we represent ourselves but more importantly we represent Christ. The Bible tells us that in Christ we have a new identity. We are “in Christ” and our lives should reflect that new identity to the extent that our humanness allows. We are told if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. We are also taught that we are to serve as ambassadors – ones who represent Christ. We represent the Kingdom of God in this fallen world. God’s love is made manifest as our love we show to others. God’s forgiveness of us extends to those we must forgive.

There is great power in that Name. And the good news for us is recorded in Acts 4:12:  "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Amen and amen.

Dave Stadler is the Chaplain for the Maryland General Assembly