We were all given a name when we were born by our parents. They searched and discussed names until they came to an agreement of what to call you. If you’re like me, then you’ve wondered what made your parents name you what they did. I asked my mother many years ago the reason I’m named Laurie Denise and yet she called me Denise. Her answer was that she named me after a singer-actress from the late 40s, Denise Lor. The reason she didn’t name me Denise Laurie is that she didn’t like the way it sounded. Parents have opinions about names and those influence the resulting moniker for you. When my husband and I named our children, I remember rejecting the name he liked for our daughter because I knew someone with that name. I didn’t consider her a very nice person and didn’t want that reminder around me. Parents have reasons for the names they choose. The names given to Jesus throughout the scriptures have reasons as well. In this series we will seek to understand some of the names given to Jesus and how that should affect our lives.
There may be some of us who have suffered teasing or ridicule from others because of our name. Sometimes the effort to make the name of the child be unique causes others to respond with finger pointing and bullying. You have probably suffered this yourself or know of someone who has. I remember how in my high school the last name of one particular student became the putdown for others. The name was used as a description of not measuring up to the crowd’s opinion. This is hard. It hurts. Jesus suffered for his name. In fact, as followers of Christ we have the privilege of suffering for the name of Jesus.
“…they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the counsel rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.” Acts 5:40b-41
These verses are describing what Peter and the apostles were going through after Jesus’ ascension to heaven. Here’s what it teaches us.
- The name of Jesus is cause for joy in the midst of suffering. Reminding ourselves of Jesus’ name and who he is can bring us joy. It doesn’t take the suffering away but the reminder of why Jesus suffered for us will bring about joy.
- The name of Jesus is cause to choose right even when told to do wrong. The apostles were told by the governing body to no longer speak the name of Jesus but they didn’t obey! They spoke the name of Jesus and called others to follow him. Jesus said to go into all the world and preach the gospel. This can’t be done without speaking his name.
- The name of Jesus may mean we’ll have to be dishonored so that he isn’t. The jokes, sarcasm, slander, gossip, bullying, and laughing may be things we must endure for the name of Jesus. We know Jesus, who he is, what he’s done, and what he continues to do on our behalf. We can persevere for his name.
“But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” Acts 9:15-16
This is said to Ananias concerning Paul. The Lord had chosen Paul to reach others with the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is our example. We learn…
- We are to carry the name of Jesus. As followers of Christ, his name is our identity. Jesus lives through each of us as we follow him and obey his command to love. Not only is he our identity but we are called to carry his name to others. We wear it and we share it!
- We will suffer for his name. This may not be uplifting to us because no one likes to suffer, but as we’ve seen in the previous verses, it is a privilege to suffer for him. His name deserves honor and we are not to forsake it.
“Then Paul answered, What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 21:13
Paul had been pulled aside by those who loved him in order that they might convince him to protect himself and not go to Jerusalem. They knew he would be arrested but Paul was willing to do what God had called him to do. He’s our example.
- We can’t always protect others from suffering. We want to especially protect the vulnerable. The idea of a child going to a remote part of the world to spread the gospel can be a hard one. Suffering will most certainly be a part of a choice like that. The name of Jesus is worth the suffering and our efforts to protect will be fruitless.
- We need to be willing to suffer for Christ and allow others to do so as well. The willingness of Paul to go to Jerusalem when he knew prison awaited him was all about the name of Jesus. He wanted to spread his name. The suffering was not considered as something from which to run away. It takes prayer and dependence on Christ to be willing to suffer for his name’s sake.
Our name is important to us but there is no name more important than Jesus. His name means Savior, something we can never achieve. Because he is Savior, we can suffer for his name with confidence. One day, and maybe soon, this will happen,
“so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” Philippians 2:10
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