Much In A Name

Shakespeare queried through the heart sick and forlorn teen, Juliet, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." Yet, she a Capulet and Romeo a Montague meant their warring families would not let this romance blossom and like the rose it would be a thorny affair. Solomon said, “A good name is more desirable than great riches… (Proverbs 22:1).” There is something in a name! Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Idi Amin, Osama Bin Laden and a host of others fill the air with ill will and collective disgust. “Your name is mudd” is an expression vilifying Doctor Samuel Mudd who aided John Wilkes Booth in his escape attempt by treating his broken leg and wounds. Yes, there is much in a name. Thus Peter surmises, “Salvation is found in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).” And Paul adds, “…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue confess the Jesus Christ is Lord… (Philippians 2:10, 11).” Yes, there is much in a name!

Now sometimes we exalt a name because we are either ignorant of the facts or overlook certain transgressions because one’s cause is greater than himself. Let me illustrate by asking you a question… “Who would you add to this list? Judas, Brutus, Benedict Arnold, Robert Hannsen…???” May I suggest, Josephus whose given name was Joseph Ben Matthias but was legally adopted by Emperor Flavius Vespasian thus his name changed to Flavius Josephus. Josephus was not only a turncoat advocating Jews become Roman Jews but quickly abandoned anyone who got in the way of his success. He went through four wives, three emperors and his most famous betrayal was in the small town of Jotapata in Galilee where he hid in an underground cave with forty others as the city was being besieged. When they were found out he wanted to surrender but to avoid being killed by the others suggested that they commit suicide. Since it would be wrong to take one’s own life they would kill each other by every third person killing the other. Josephus strategically placed himself so he with a servant were the last two alive. He then surrendered. What a swell guy!?!?

We speak highly of him because he mentions Jesus possibly twice lending historical witness to the life of Jesus. His antiquities offer information about the fall of Jerusalem though speculated to be highly exaggerated. But none-the-less, Josephus was no rose and his name should be Mudd! Now, I said all of that to say this… We should guard the name of Jesus with profound reverence and wear it with great pride! His name is above all names and brings dignity and life to all who wear it. Yes, for those who are redeemed there is much in a name! -DAN