AtomWhat’s your name…your SOUL name??
Today’s lesson is the ending of the birth narrative of Jesus from the gospel of Luke, and, in order to make sense of it…we need to remember that this narrative started in Luke, chapter 1 when the Angel appearing to Mary in a dream and told her of the upcoming birth of her Son…and then telling her that she will name him Jesus. (Note the attention to naming, it’s important!!)
Then, we read from chapter 2 at Christmas…the familiar Christmas Gospel…following by our text today…the closing piece of the birth story in Luke. As the story of the naming of Jesus started with Zechariah and Elizabeth, two righteous servants of God helping Mary find her name, so this birth narrative comes to a close with two more of God’s righteous in the temple, Simeon and Anna helping Jesus find His name…
22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 29 “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
33 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
Naming…what’s your name? Do you know your name? And, not just the public name your parents gave you because the liked the sound of it, or because it fit with the family tree, or because they wanted something unique for you, or because of its roots; But also that inner name…that name that gives guidance, shapes values, gives purpose and mission…that name!
In Luke’s Gospel Luke tells us about all these names! First, Mary gives a public declaration of Jesus’ given name, just as the angel told her. This was the name revealed by Gabriel to Mary when the angel made his annunciation to her. It’s a great name: “Jesus,” which means “Yahweh saves.” The Hebrew meaning is “Joshua.” And, it is a very common name.
Ironic actually…that the most extraordinary birth in history comes wrapped in a very ordinary name. The One whose name is above every name (Phil.2:9) is given a common name. But today we’re also told that Jesus is not this child’s only name.
And this is part of what I sense that Luke wants us to discover…that there is more…much more to the naming of Jesus, just as there is more…much more to the naming for each of us!!
In the Gospel, immediately after Jesus’ name is declared in the temple, Simeon reveals another name for this child: “the Lord’s Messiah.” And then, along with the identity of “Messiah” comes a host of other new names…Names given to him by God that will give him his identity, his purpose, his direction, his meaning…
In Matthew’s gospel Joseph is told the child will be known as “Emmanuel” (“God is with us”) and “Savior.”
Simeon also dubs the baby Jesus as the “Consolation of Israel” and as the “Revelation to the Gentiles.”
Anna names him “The redemption of Jerusalem”.
John the Baptist names Jesus the “Lamb of God” (John 1:29).
At Jesus’ baptism the heavenly voice declares him to be “My Beloved Son” (Mark 1:4; Matthew 3:17).
We could continue…but today, let’s turn the question towards the hearer of the Gospel today, asking the question, People of God…followers of Jesus, Do you know your names…
And not just the public name which is public knowledge. But, like Jesus, those inner names, secret names: names that God has given us as a guard and to guide through our lives? Len Sweet calls these names our “Soul Name”!!
Soul names are the secrets locked deep within our hearts and minds. Soul Names are the honesty of our words, the integrity of our actions, and the authenticity of our deeds. Soul Names are the motivations behind all our actions these are locked deep in the recesses of our souls. Sweet maintains that these “Soul Names” are the ultimate identifier for each one of us.
People of God, Luke asks, Do you know your inner name, your soul name…the name that identifies you at the core of our being?
Mary knew her name…it was given to her by the Angel Gabriel…remember?? When the angel Gabriel appeared to her, before he revealed her miraculous conception, the angel declared Mary’s secret name: “God’s Favored One.”
And, while we’re with Mary…let’s also be reminded that, just because your secret name is “favored one” doesn’t meant that “favoritism” erases pain and suffering, even bitterness.
Simeon’s prophecy predicts that Mary’s heart will be “pierced” by swords of opposition and antagonism directed at Jesus. This was hard truth, hard to take by a new mother celebrating the birth of her first born son. No other truth could cut so close to the bone. But no other truth would be so truthful.
But, for most of us…I’m sensed that our secret, inner, God given name isn’t given as plainly. Rather, our secret name is the name we grow into, it’s the name we learn to inhabit, the name that awakens in us as our soul grows and as we live our lives.
How do we find out our secret names, our inner names, our soul names? Let’s go back to Christmas Day!!
I so enjoyed coming to “Christmas at our house” on Christmas Day. For those not a part of First Lutheran, “Christmas at our House” is a free meal, served to the community because no one should ever have to eat Christmas Dinner alone. And, it was a GREAT day of feasting and celebration…
When I arrived two of the first people I met where sitting in the Dining Room, playing guitars and singing… and so many people commented on the gift of joy and cheer they were bringing to this meal time together. When I introduced myself and asked them their names…the first said, with a huge smile:
I’m Son-in-law ONE…
To which the second then said, again with a smile…
And, I’m Son-in-law TWO…
While these were names given to them (in fun) by their father-in-law, I witnessed these two living out their inner “soul names” of “bearers of joy and gladness”…and they played and sang and laughed and brought joy and gladness to so many on Thursday.
Shortly after that, I came across a man and woman all dressed in red…the man even had an authentic white beard and the lady had a smile that lit up the entire dining room…and as I watched them move in and out of the room, I heard very clearly that their inner “soul names” were “dispensers of merriment and laughter”…
And then, I walked into the kitchen…and there were a dozen people all laughing, smiling, serving, dishing up meals, washing dishes, and so much more… Their soul names?? I heard a few… these folks were named: “feed the hungry”, “serve the lonely” “provide for others”!
Finally, I sat down to eat…and was served by some incredible people who made sure all my needs at that time were provided for…their names were written all over them: “Hospitality” and “humility”.
You see, I got the sense that all these people, for that day, learned once again their inner soul name!! And, note how they found it…and didn’t find it!!
They didn’t find their name by staying home and watching video games….that’s for sure!! They didn’t find it by surfing the internet. They didn’t find it by navel gazing in their own narcissistic mirror!!
No…They found their inner names that day by throwing themselves into the needs of the world with compassion…just like Jesus found his secret, inner soul names. They threw themselves into the needs of our community, and in doing so, discovered and lived out their inner soul names!!
And, this was happening across the age spectrum…young and old alike. There were a ton of “young folks” there, home for Christmas: coming to serve, to enter into the needs of the world with compassion, AND, in doing so, I know that they discovered that inner name given to them that gave them purpose and meaning…satisfaction and so much more in life…at least for that day. I know it because EVERYONE left that day with a smile…and with inner peace!!
How do you find your soul name??
You find it by getting out into the community with compassion: entering into the needs of others!
You also find your inner name…your soul name…by helping others find their inner names: be it your children, your spouse, your parents, your siblings…or others…like Simeon and Anna did for Jesus!! And, in doing so…they discovered their inner names…
In our world, it’s so easy…too easy to forget this and instead of helping people find their soul names, give people names that tear down and destroy…names that make it hard for the God given inner soul names to surface!!
So often in the weeks leading to Christmas, while walking through various stores, I’ve heard parents give names to their children…and I’ve cringed when I’ve heard these names. Two I heard recently: “You’re just a misbehaving brat!!” and “You’re just a worthless pile of junk”.
And I thought…how are these children going to ever find their value, their inner soul name if those closest to them are lambasting them with these types of names??
And…this also tells me that this parent doesn’t know his or her inner God given soul name either!!
Now: Imagine what would happen if every parent made conscious efforts each and every day to identify the inner, God-Given name of their children…imagine not only what would happen for their children…but also know…what would happen to the parents.
I believe the parents would, in the act of seeking out the God given inner soul name for their children, would also discover the God Given name placed inside them as well!!
And, as we broaden this into a congregation…a faith community…hear clearly the Gospel encouragement to be counted among those who help others find their inner God Given soul names. Imagine what would happen if you were the one:
Helping Susan discover her secret name is: “The Giving and Forgiving One.”
Or helping Paul discover one of his secret names is: “Blest to Bless.”
Or, letting Jerry know how much you appreciate his name of: “Bringer of Delight and Joy.”
For in helping others find their names, I know that you also discover that inner soul name God has named you with being unwrapped. It happened for Simeon and for Anna…and will happen for you also!
People of God…do you know your name?? The Gospel writer Luke wants us to know!!
And yes, your public name just might be “son-in-law ONE” and “son-in-law TWO”: I enjoyed that conversation of love between these guys and their “father-in-law ONE”??
Actually, I should have asked them about this that day…didn’t think fast enough I guess….
But, today we’re focusing on knowing our inner names…our soul names…the names that, to quote Len Sweet again:
The names that are the honesty of our words, the integrity of our actions, and the authenticity of our deeds. They are the motivations behind all our actions that are locked deep in the recesses of our souls. That are the ultimate identifier for each one of us.
These are the names I’m gradually learning…as my life continues to unfold!!
These are the names I need you, God’s People, to continually help me learn…
These are the names which give purpose…value…AND…
These are the names which I’m discovering are most important to know, to grow into, as
These are the names which indeed brings LIFE…today and for all eternity…
And these inner God Given soul names are found only in the one named JESUS, Messiah, Prince of Peace, redeemer of the world, whose birth we continue to celebrate today. AMEN!!
Page 1 of 1 comment pages