What's In A Name?

   Why does the mention of Jesus' name invoke such reactions?

   In Matthew's Gospel, Chapter 12, the writer quotes a passage from Isaiah that ends with these words (from The Message):

" the mere sound of his name will signal hope, even
    among far-off unbelievers."

   The mere mention of His Name is a signal, as in reality it still is today, but the reactions are as diverse as they were back in the time of the early church. Remember the religious leaders forbade the early disciples to speak in His Name:

"They called them back and warned them that they were on no account ever again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus."

   How we use the Name of Jesus Christ says a lot about our reactions to its use. These three ways come to my mind right now.

   1. Speaking His name without emotion as in just another historical figure, one who lived and died and did things while serving His time on earth. Perhaps not even acknowledged in that way, but only accepted as a man in some sort of mythology that we can learn lessons from.

   2. Speaking His Name only in derision, as a part of a cursing phrase. I confess that this usage brings a cringe to my soul, and I hate to hear it, even when it is shortened to "Jeez" or some other like word. This flippant usage is an affront to God as well, but the cursing in His Name goes farther than that.

   3. Then there is the reverent, the use of Jesus' Name, spoken in hope, in awe, in ways that affirm what the Bible teaches. He tells us to pray to God in His Name, not as just a mantra to be used to assure God's hearing and acting, but as a reverent acknowledgement of His relationship.

   What is bound up in a name? A lot!

   What is bound up in how we speak that Name or even how we refrain from speaking it? A lot!

   There is a credit card commercial that asks "What is in your wallet?"

   Maybe the proper question might be "What is in my mouth (or your's)".