“What’s in a name? that which we call a rose
  By any other name would smell as sweet”
(Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, 1594)

 

Shakespeare said it long ago, but is it true?  Can you and I honestly say it doesn’t matter what we call something?  Is the name really unimportant?  We recite the old playground rhyme — “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me” — to build this shell around us, all the while knowing that it isn’t true.  Words do hurt.  What we are called makes a difference.  The name we have, and use, for our self and for others says a lot.  If you don’t believe it, just go back a few short months to the whole Don Imus incident where he chose a “name” to describe a women’s basketball team; a name that said a whole lot more about him than it said about any of the team members.

In a previous post, we saw where God introduced Himself to Moses with a new name.  He was saying something about Himself that was new. He was revealing Himself to Moses in a way He had done to no one before.  In Revelation 19:11-21, we see a depiction of Jesus returning to bring judgment to the earth.  In this word picture given, we see a variety of names given to Jesus — names that have meaning and purpose. 

This section of scripture opens with John seeing “a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.”  Verse 12 goes on to state, “He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.”  And then in verse 13, “his name is the Word of God.”  And finally, verse 16 tells us, “On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:  KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” 

John begins this description of what he saw by proclaiming the returning Jesus is both Faithful and True.  To call something by either, or both, of these names is saying a lot.  To be named Faithful and True, speaks of a God who can be trusted in all things.  There is no hint of deceit or falsehood to be found in Him.  What He says is, and what He proclaims will be.  As this “Faithful and True” rider comes, He comes revealing even more of Himself as he has written upon Him a name that no one else has known until now.  He comes as a revealer of Himself to mankind.  A quality we have seen in God throughout scripture.  A quality that we see evident as John states this rider’s name as “the Word of God”.  The revealer, the faithful and true one; is none other than the Word of God!  John stated this very fact earlier in his writings as he wrote in his gospel account, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  (John 1:1)  As the Word of God, He comes with authority.  It is in this authority that He has the name written on Him of the Sovereign God.  He arrives carrying the name of “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS”.  This is a name that speaks loudly of His sovereign nature.  He is not just king and he is not just lord.  Kings and lords are plentiful, and even “common” compared to this rider.  He comes with a name clearly announcing that He is sovereign — the complete authority — over all other kings and all other lords.

So, where does that leave you and I?  What name do we give Jesus?  Okay, look deeper.  I’m not talking about the name we verbally give Him.  That should be an easy question to answer.  I’m talking about the name we give Him by the way we live.  Do we give him the name “Faithful and True” by trusting Him with the details of our life and circumstances?  Do we give Him a name only He knows as we pursue and listen to Him; allowing Him to reveal Himself to us?  Do we give Him the name “Word of God”, allowing His leading and direction in our life to take priority as being leading and direction from God?  Do we give Him the name “King of me and Lord of me”, submitting to Him as our King and Lord in everything?

It’s easy to use the right words.  It is much better to live the right life!  May you and I give the names of God meaning in our life by responding to Him as a faithful and obedient servant who has been called into His family as a son or daughter.