What's In A Name?
In the Scriptures there are many people who go by more than one name. No one tops Jesus when it comes to name variety. Some students of the Bible have counted more than 100 different names for Jesus. Abram, Sarai, Jacob, Simon, Saul are others who go by different names in the Bible.
God changed Abram and Sarai's names as a reflection of both their faith and the reality of what God created them to be. The name Abram meant "father exalted" His name becomes Abraham, "father of multitudes." Sarai meant "princess." Her name then becomes Sarah, "princess of many." The name change was not too big, essentially they remained the same, but it was changed just enough to show Abraham and Sarah that they were blessed more than they ever realized. They would become the parents of a great nation with descendants as numerous as the stars.
In Mark 8 Jesus foretells that he will be soon killed and on the third day rise again. When Peter argues against such a prediction Jesus scolds him. He then describes to his disciples what it means to follow him. "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it."
When we become disciples of Christ through baptism we are given a new name, much like Abraham and Sarah. In fact we are given many new names: "child of God," "brother" or "sister," "friend." Our old name reflected us as individuals. Our new names reflect our relationships with God and others. As disciples God takes our focus away from self-centered desire and worry and moves our focus outward toward others. But its important to remember that when God renamed Abram and Sarai he kept the heart of who they where. The change was not that big. They always were "Father" and "Princess" but now their focus is outward instead of inward.
Baptized in Christ, the very best of our old selves remain. We can hold on to the names our parents have given us. But when we deny ourselves we change our focus and recognize that our place in the world is greater than we can ever see by ourselves. God has called you to great things. As a disciple you will touch the lives of many people. By denying ourselves, not only do we see a bigger purpose for our lives, but we actually are taking steps to living out the lifes that God desires for us.
God changed Abram and Sarai's names as a reflection of both their faith and the reality of what God created them to be. The name Abram meant "father exalted" His name becomes Abraham, "father of multitudes." Sarai meant "princess." Her name then becomes Sarah, "princess of many." The name change was not too big, essentially they remained the same, but it was changed just enough to show Abraham and Sarah that they were blessed more than they ever realized. They would become the parents of a great nation with descendants as numerous as the stars.
In Mark 8 Jesus foretells that he will be soon killed and on the third day rise again. When Peter argues against such a prediction Jesus scolds him. He then describes to his disciples what it means to follow him. "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it."
When we become disciples of Christ through baptism we are given a new name, much like Abraham and Sarah. In fact we are given many new names: "child of God," "brother" or "sister," "friend." Our old name reflected us as individuals. Our new names reflect our relationships with God and others. As disciples God takes our focus away from self-centered desire and worry and moves our focus outward toward others. But its important to remember that when God renamed Abram and Sarai he kept the heart of who they where. The change was not that big. They always were "Father" and "Princess" but now their focus is outward instead of inward.
Baptized in Christ, the very best of our old selves remain. We can hold on to the names our parents have given us. But when we deny ourselves we change our focus and recognize that our place in the world is greater than we can ever see by ourselves. God has called you to great things. As a disciple you will touch the lives of many people. By denying ourselves, not only do we see a bigger purpose for our lives, but we actually are taking steps to living out the lifes that God desires for us.
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