Monday, January 11, 2016

What's In a Name?


         You’ve heard it been said before, “Whats in a name?”  Here in the south we take the names seriously especially the names of our ancestors. 
          A good friend of mine and college roommate has the name Mose Wadsworth Stuart, V.  While he doesnt have any children yet, I am not sure how he can get around naming his first son Mose Wadsworth Stuart, VI.  You are of course familiar with the old names of Selma.  Ive lost count of the number of Roger ap Catesby or Catesby ap Rogers there are.  
          After we found out Jamie was pregnant with Mary Katherine, we literally had a 9 month “conversation” about what her name would be.  We even signed on to ancestory.com to see if there were any old family names that might work. 
          I discovered a Yeldard Alvey from the 1600s in England and suggested we call her “Mary Yeldard.”  Obviously, that didnt work out.  We ended up giving her the name that is connected to all four of her great-grandmothers—Mary Katherine Campbell Alvey.  Our daughter is really going to appreciate that when taking standardized tests!
          Names in scripture are also carefully chosen and usually describe a defining attribute of the person.  Mosesname in Egyptian name literally means to “draw out.”  Moses was of course drawn out of water after his mother sent him down the Nile in hopes he would be rescued because the Pharaoh announced he would kill all new born sons because the Hebrew population was getting too big.

Note: In original sermon, I said Moses' Hebrew name means "to draw out."  Thankfully, a parishioner corrected me saying that his Hebrew name means "to deliver."  His Egyptian name means "to draw out.  This makes perfect sense because Moses was drawn out of the water by the Egyptians and drew them out to their eventual death after the parting of the Red Sea.

          Jacob was given the name Israel after his struggle with an angel of the Lord.  Israel in Hebrew means “one who struggled with God and lived.”  And we know very well the struggle of Israel and their dogged determination to live against all odds. 
          I could of course go on, but I think you get the picture.  Names are important.  They say a lot about who we are.  Names go a long in way in helping us claim our identity. 
          Take it from me there is something demoralizing by being called by the wrong name.  I often get Jack Alvery.  I dont know why but people just think my last name needs an “r.” 
I also grow tired of having to sound out the “v” in Alvey because it often comes across as a “b” sound.  Ive grown used to spelling my name A-L-V as in Victor-E-Y. 
I remember one time I used this formula when I called the pro-shop for a tee-time.  When I arrived, the pro couldnt find an Alvey on the list.  When I asked who had the 10:10 tee-time, he looked down and said, “Al Victory.”  So if I ever decide to get into Hollywood, I have my screen name!
But at least I can laugh about it.  Some arent so lucky.  Some dont even go by a name at all.  Prisoners are given a number across their chest.  There are too many babies that go unborn every day that are never even given a name.  Some go for years or even lifetimes without anyone ever bothering to ask their name. 
Others are reduced to the name of the sin that they are most known for committing.  The drunk.  The adulterer.  The murderer.  The gossip.  The thief.  The jerk.  The idiot.  I know this because I, too, have been on both sides of these dehumanizing ways of looking at people.  Lord, have mercy on us all. 
Others are given more distinguished names.  Kind. Generous.  Intelligent.  Loving.  Some get to be known by the title of an award.  The Nobel Laureate.  The Heisman Trophy winner.  Most Likely to Succeed.  The Best Lawyer. 
And generally speaking people call us by the tasks or job that we are known for doing.  The teacher.  The banker.  The golfer.  The artists.  The comedian.  The judge.  And most of these titles are well deserved. 
But at the end of the day, none of these names, not our given name, not our nickname, not our sin name, not even our distinguished name can adequately describe who we really are. 
Our lesson from Isaiah reminds us of who we really are.  The same God who created us and formed us calls out to us and says, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”  YOU ARE MINE. 
Ultimately, this statement from God reminds us of who we are by reminding us to whom we belong.  We belong to God.  Our identity doesnt come from how the world sees us—for better, for worse—our identity is wholly and completely wrapped up in who God says we are.
As Christians, we find the fullness of our identity in the name given to Jesus Christ in baptism.  After Jesus is baptized the heavens part and a voice from heaven declares, “You are my Son, the beloved, with you I am well pleased.” 
The baptism of Jesus tells us that God was willing to enter into a flesh that is named and defined by sin and death and make us a people who are named and defined by the eternal love and goodness of God.
The baptism of Jesus tells us that God was willing to enter the tragic nature of our world and redeem our world with love incarnate.  And God invites us to learn and claim our new name through a baptism with water and the Holy Spirit. 
Baptism is the Churchs central act in acknowledging the mark and claim that God has made on us all in Christ.  When we are baptized, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit and marked as Christs own forever.  Period. 
Nothing can take away the identity we are given by God in Christ.  Nothing.  No amount of sin.  No amount of stumbling.  No amount of suffering.  No amount of name calling. Nothing can take away your identity as Gods beloved.
So the pressing question for us this morning asks, “Can you accept your name in Christ?”  Do you really believe deep in your heart and soul that your name is beloved of God?  Or will you continue to let yourself be defined by the temporary names of this world? 
Will you continue to let the world define you with attributes that you may or may not deserve, with words that may or may not capture who you real are?  Will you continue to let others define you by a name that you can never outrun no matter how hard you try? 
Will you continue to let the world define you by names that can be taken away in a second with one wrong move or one unfortunate event?  Or can you accept that the only name that can truly free you from the names of sin and death is the name “beloved of God”? 

Ill ask again.  Whats in a name?  A lot.  In fact, your life depends on it.  Beloved, I invite you to take seriously the name you are given through God in Christ.  Believe in your belovedness to the point where you start to believe in the belovedness of the other.  Believe in your new name and watch with joy as Gods beloved Son transforms our broken and sinful world in the name of love.  Amen.       

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