What's in a Name?

My oldest daughter met a man the other day who said his name was Jesus Christ Martinez and thought he was THE Jesus Christ. I don’t know how he delt with Martinez but he wanted to bless her. When she told me this story I played with her for a moment or two and then laughed. I have my understanding of who Jesus is and Martinez is not part of that image. It could be but I don’t see that in scripture. Just naming that name made me take interest.   

Mention the name Jesus Christ and you may not expect the assortment of answers you will hear. Great teacher, prophet, good man, healer, fake, myth, a god, false prophet you name it you will hear it. He is often misunderstood because of preconceived notions, lack of knowledge and hearsay (gossip, not testimony). Along with those names may come names like Savior, Lord, Son of God, or Son of Man. They say image is everything, Jesus once asked his disciples, 

²⁷ Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

²⁸ They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” Mark 8:27-28 NIV 1984

I did a little search on YouTube for videos asking that very question. There are multiple videos of “man on the street” interviews with as many answers as you can imagine. The REAL question is the one Jesus asked next.

²⁹ “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ.” Mark 8:29 NIV 1984

That is the point really. Who do you say Jesus is? Yes, words are important but actions speak louder than words. What does your life speak of who Jesus is? The evil one wants to steal, kill and destroy our witness. Sometimes we let him. Our sulking, anger and demeanor then say Jesus is not who he said he was. Or at least he is not in us like he said. He is not enough to overcome this issue in our lives. When did you lose the fire of his presence or did you ever have it? Is that True of who you say he is? I do hope not!

 As Easter approaches this year lets prepared for that celebration. We have Advent at Christmas and Lent at Easter. This Easter season let’s answer the question of Jesus, “who do you say I am?” not from what we have heard or what we think but from the actual accounts of witnesses of the man called Jesus the Christ. Let’s go to the source for the best image and see for ourselves. So that we might make our own decision. Listen to the story of one who has experienced Jesus. Ask questions of them and their encounter. Then tell your story. That’s what it is to give a witness. Not hearsay, no your account of your experience of Jesus Christ. Not who you think he should be, we often make gods of our own design, but rather who he is.

Who he is, that is much more interesting than who I think he might be. Who he is in us may not be who he really is or wants to be. It’s time we looked at the real Jesus and not false images. I think that alone will prepare us for Easter by looking at Jesus.       

In HIS Service and Yours,

The Rev