What's in a Name?

What’s In a Name? Matthew 1:18-25 We went to church last week and the pastor spoke about this Scripture. As the Scripture was read and she began her homily, my mind went off in another direction. I asked myself, “So what’s the inspiration?” Anytime someone speaks from the pulpit, that’s the question we should ask ourselves. What’s the inspiration of this Scripture and of my message? Well, let’s get into the Scripture a little deeper and glean what it might have. This pastor called Joseph a step-parent. My flag went up as I said to myself, “No, he’s not.” A stepparent is one who is a parent figure, who marries someone who already has children by another spouse. I’m a step-parent to Carol’s children. Mary was never married before. Joseph was not a step-parent, he was an adoptive parent, at least; the legal guardian and by divine decree, no less. By tradition and Jewish law, Jesus was to inherit Joseph’s birth right, his tribe’s identity, as one from the tribe of Judah, from the line of David. Surely, Joseph and Jesus had a much more intimate relationship than as a step-parent and child. Joseph had the civil rights and sentimental, owning qualities of any full-blooded parent and far more than a step-parent, loving and caring as they may well be. Joseph’s fatherhood was by God’s hand, he was responsible for caring for this Christ-child. Guys, what might you think and feel were you in Joseph’s shoes? I’m sure he was inspired, and so should we be as we carry his life to our worlds, small or large as they may be. So, back to Jesus, what was Jesus in His culture? Some may say, especially as they didn’t know better, that He was an illegitimate child, a castaway, a nobody, someone to be forgotten, ignored, held in contempt, and His mother should be stoned. Later it would be said in Matthew 13:55-57, “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t His mother’s name Mary, and aren’t His brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all His sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own town and in his own home.” They took offense… He was without honor in His own hometown. Jesus and the family were lowlifes, held in disdain and contempt. Isaiah 53 says “He was despised and rejected by humankind, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom people hide their faces He was reviled, and we held Him in low esteem.” So, Jesus is not starting out well in the community. Nothing much inspiring here, yet. 2 But what about this Davidic line that He was supposedly from? It is vital for prophecy to be fulfilled, for Jesus to be authentic, for salvation to be bona fide. If Jesus was not biological born of Joseph, was He really from the lineage of David? What about Mary? What is her lineage? Is Mary a descendant of David? In both genealogies of Jesus, one in Matthew 1:6, the other in Luke 3:31, the ancestry of David is mentioned ... for Jesus. Further, it was common knowledge and expectation for New Testament times that the Messiah would be from the House of David. Joseph is clearly pointed out as descendant of David in both genealogies. On the other hand, New Testament sources are silent about Mary's descendance from David. However, through her marriage with Joseph, she enters his family and legally becomes, she and her son Jesus, a member of the House of David. Ok, so we are close, but we would like to have Mary no less a descendant of David as was Joseph. Well, according to custom, the bridegroom (Joseph) would choose his bride (Mary) from among the women of his own tribe. Also, and more culturally, women were not included in genealogies, but their father’s were. Luke’s genealogy shows that Heli, whom we are assured was Mary’s father, was a direct descendant of the tribe of Judah. In addition, the angel Gabriel (no less) affirmed Jesus’ Judean lineage, telling Mary that “He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His ancestor David” (Luke 1:32). Bingo, there you have it. David was of the tribe of Judah, as was Joseph and Mary. So, not to belabor this matter, let’s move on to ask, “What’s in a name?” Names in our society can be politically incorrect or descriptive. For example, the Washington Redskins, the Cleveland Indians were found to be offensive and were changed to the Washington Commanders and the Cleveland Guardians. On the other hand, the Pittsburgh Steelers reflect the city’s steel mill tradition; and the Orlando Magic is a nod to Disney World. The Philadelphia Eagles are certainly flying high this year. No one has to explain these names. The connections are clear and strong and commanding. Names in the Bible always have deeper meaning beyond the words. In Matthew, the birth of Jesus is foretold. The story begins in controversy, with Mary, the mother of Jesus, found to be pregnant. This creates an issue for Joseph, to whom she is pledged to be married. Not wanting to humiliate her publicly, he decides to divorce her quietly. But then an angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream and says, “Joseph son of David, 3 do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” Holy smokes! Joseph realizes that Mary has not been unfaithful to him, but that her pregnancy is an act of God. Now that is inspiring. Then the angel says, “She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” This is the first commanding name given to this child: Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua, which means “the Lord saves.” Then we have Matthew telling us that all of this takes place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet Isaiah: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel,” which means “God with us.” This is the second commanding name given to the Child. When Joseph wakes up, he does what the angel of the Lord has commanded him. He takes Mary home as his wife; and when she gives birth to a Son, he gives Him the name Jesus. Jesus, Immanuel, both are clear, strong, commanding names. So, what’s in a name? The names of individuals in the Bible are always full of significance, expressing their personality and status or nature. We see this most clearly when a person’s name is changed, in recognition of a change in their nature, personality, or status. For example, Jacob’s name is changed to Israel after his successful wrestling match with a divine being. Abram’s name is changed to Abraham after the creation of the covenant with God. Saul becomes Paul after he becomes a follower of Christ. Names are carefully chosen, sometimes to reflect the circumstances of their birth. The name Moses means “to draw out,” reflecting Moses’ rescue as an infant from the waters of the Nile. The name Elijah means “the Lord is God.” In the Bible, a name is always more than just a word. So, what does it mean to say that the Son of God is both Jesus and Immanuel? Both names embody who Jesus is: Savior and God-with-us. What’s the inspiration? Both invite us to respond — not just with the cheers of a sports fan, but with deep faith and commitment. Jesus has been sent to earth to be the One to save us from all the sins and shortcomings that fracture our relationships with God and the people around us. We can make such a mess of our lives, as individuals, as communities, as countries, that we need a Savior to rescue us. Jesus does this by offering us forgiveness for our past failings, and guidance for the path that lies ahead. We might sing about His saving work at Christmas, using the words of the carol, “O Little Town of Bethlehem”: O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray; Cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us 4 today. Cast out our sin — that’s the work of Jesus, the Savior. Hebrews 9:26 tells us that Jesus came to “remove sin by the sacrifice of Himself” on the cross. Jesus casts out our sins, once and for all, in an act that never needs to be repeated. He lays down His life for us in an act of loving sacrifice, one that brings us forgiveness and new life. We need Jesus to save us. He does for us what we can never do for ourselves, no matter how hard we try. Inspiring!! Immanuel, the second name, communicates that God is with us. Turning to a higher power helps us discover that we are not alone. With Immanuel in our lives, we can walk hand in hand with God. Using the words of “O Little Town of Bethlehem” again: We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us; abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel. Jesus came to abide with us, to live with us, to stay with us now and forever. That’s the work of Immanuel, God with us. We need this now, more than ever. Loneliness is a problem this time of year. Dark times for some — the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, living with cancer, or adjusting to a separation or divorce, some people are lonely and depressed. One of Merle’s daughters was saying there was no Merry in Christmas this year, bless her heart. She has three beautiful children and a good husband, I’m sure they will help. Christmas season is not always a bright and happy time for everyone. People can find hope, however, in the support of the church and community, and the chance to draw closer to the One who is our Lord Immanuel, God with us. As we move toward Christmas, let’s keep the names of Jesus and Immanuel in front of us. They tell us that Jesus is our Savior, coming to save us from sin and deliver us to new and abundant life. He is also Immanuel, God with us, the surest sign that our Lord is with us in every time and place and situation. With Jesus, we are never trapped in our sins and shortcomings. With Immanuel, we are never completely alone. These names are perfect descriptions of the One who commands our faith, our trust and our deepest commitment. Be inspired by these names of Jesus and be inspiring to others with His life in you. Jesus saves, Immanuel is with us. Share this Good News.