THE POWER OF A NAME

February 25th | Pastor Gino

What is it about names? I have been known as Gino since I could remember. Those who know me best know that my given name is Eugene. Growing up I hated this name because of two particular movies. The movies were Revenge of the Nerds and Grease. Both were very popular when I was young and the nerdy, glasses wearing, goofballs of both those movies were named… you guessed it! Eugene! That name came to represent that persona. To make matters worse, I wore glasses. I got myself into contacts as soon as I could. Needless to say, one aspect of my childhood was seeking to avoid anyone knowing my ‘real’ name. On the few occasions when it did occur, I was teased and experienced the power of a name.

I was very grateful that the name Gino was given to me early on and that it stuck among family and friends. It is the name that is on everything about me. While I was certainly hyper-sensitive as a kid, I thankfully outgrew the stigma in later years. But the lesson still sticks and is still as powerful today as it was then. Names have meaning and mean something in the lives of those who bear them.

This is seen in the Old Testament, as God would change the names of those He used to accomplish his tasks in the world. It’s seen in the New Testament as well. Maybe, most notably, would be Jesus changing Cephas’ name to Petras or Peter, meaning rock or stone. Most scholars think this change occurred because Peter would need to be a sturdy and strong leader after Jesus’ ascension as he (Peter) would lead the way in the beginnings of the NT church. Historically, names were also changed or even taken away by those seeking to dehumanize or oppress others. Just before the Holocaust, Jewish individuals were often forced to adopt additional names to identify themselves which served to separate and demean them within society.

What is it, then, that makes a name so significant? To start, a name gives a sense of identity. It is usually the first thing someone will learn about you and it is the very thing by which you will become known. Names have meaning attached to them. According to one website, Gino can mean either immortal or farmer. Christians often look at the meaning of names for their children. You can go to babynames.com to begin your search. Popular names like Michael mean Who is like God? Sarah means princess… which is likely why it is a popular name for girls.  

Names can also connect you to a family lineage or person of popularity. My name is also the name of the popular pop star of the 70’s, Gino Vannelli. I should have stuck with Eugene, which means noble or well-born. Then I could have been associated with Gene Kelly whose given name was Eugene and then shortened to Gene for his acting career.

Often times someone’s last name will bring an association with a class system within society. While this is a negative aspect of the power of names, it demonstrates that names mean something whether our association with them is true or not. Simply put, we see that there is great power in a name.

This brings us to the point of today’s devotional, and that is to bring to light the most powerful name of all – Jesus. The English name Jesus is from the Greek Iesous which is from the Hebrew name Yeshua or Joshua and means God Saves or God is Salvation. As you can see, there is much to say about the meaning of this name.

The name Jesus was popular even in his own time. This is why he is sometimes called Jesus of Nazareth to distinguish him from others. However, the Lexham Survey of Theology eloquently captures the significance of the name Jesus in the One whom we most associate it with: “He was, from one angle, ‘just another Joshua,’ and yet, in another sense, he was the true Joshua—the one who would live up to the meaning of this name in ways that no others could.”

And so, the name of Jesus is important because of its meaning AND because of whom it represents. While power and authority are found in the person of Jesus, the person is designated by the name. More so than with other names, we associate the name of Jesus with His distinctive character, quality, and work.

E.g., salvation is found in no other name but in Jesus alone; believers are baptized in the name of Jesus; believers pray in the name of Jesus; and at the name of Jesus every knee will bow & tongue confess that he is Lord

So, we see that there is no more powerful name on earth than the name of Jesus. But, there is another name I want to mention as well. A name that also has meaning attached to it; connects one to a family lineage and a person of popularity; and has great importance in world… that name is - Christian.

This was the name that those who believed in and followed Jesus as disciples became to be known by (Acts 11:26). In its day, it was often seen as a pejorative as Christians were not well thought of. This is sometimes the case even in our own day. But those who are Christians wear the name proudly. Why? Because of its association with the Lord Jesus. To know Jesus and to be known by Him is to be a Christian; a Christ follower; a disciple of the Lord Jesus; and to trust in Him fully and completely for the salvation of one’s soul and the redemption of creation.

I hope that the name Christian is one you wear proudly. I hope that it is one you are known by. I hope it is a name that you’ve come to know and appreciate in all its fullness. I hope that it is a name you will die for, but just as importantly, one that you will live for because of the One to whom it is attached.

In 2015 a gunman entered Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Orgeon and began asking students if they were Christian. When they responded in the affirmative, the gunman shot them. This is the power a name can provoke (albeit evil in this case). But an even greater power that comes by the name of Jesus is that those who perished were immediately welcomed into His presence (2 Corinthians 5:8). For He will not forsake His own (those who bear His name), and He is the one who holds the power of life and death in His hands (Revelation 1:18). Hallelujah!

I’ll leave you with this from the 18th Century hymn writer, Edward Perronet:

All hail the power of Jesus' name!
Let angels prostrate fall.
Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all!