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Jesus' Name
Jesus' mystical body was clearly transformed in the garden after the resurrection. He commands Mary not to touch or hug him for, "he had not yet ascended."
Later, when his body has become "fixed," he walks through a wooden door to greet his disciples! His molecules are somehow able to pass through a solid panel but his skin is firm enough to be touched. He offers the wounds in his hands and side as proof of his identity.
Jesus' Special Body
An example of Jesus' changing body occurs when Mary Magdalene, one of his closest friends, doesn't recognize him in the garden. John explains, "she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. Thinking he was the gardener, she said, 'Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.'"
Mary only recognized Jesus when he spoke her name. She twisted around and said in Aramaic, "Teacher." Jesus' mystical body had not yet been formed so he whispered, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father." 1
The Personal Meaning of Names
I have a personal name, "Ronald Henry," which I was given by my parents at my baptism. My surname, "Meacock," meaning "son of little Michael" tells you about my family and in my case the particular place outside Chester in England where these "sons of little Michael" originated. My church has a name, "St. Catherine's," and my denomination has a name, "The Church of England." I was born in a place called "Birkenhead."
My country has the name, "England." Even the time I live in has the designation, "the Twenty First Century." Each label tells you a little more of the context of my existence. Names describe relationships to other people, to God, even to places and things. A nomenclature honors my accepted place in society, a family and a community of faith.
The Christian Meaning of Names
What does having a name mean? Does God possess a name? What is the significance of Jesus' name? Does God know my name? One young child in New Haven, Connecticut, knew where God lived and had a question too. She had her own version of the Lord's Prayer beginning, "Our Father, who art in New Haven. How do you know my name?"
Every young couple goes to great lengths to choose the right name for their first child. There are books of names to choose from. The meaning of first or Christian name suggests the character or role of a person. Ronald means "leader" or "strong ruler." John is "a child of God" whereas Matthew says you are "a gift of the Lord."
The prophet Hosea named his children as living prophecies to Israel. Jezreel meant "God Scatters." The second child, Lo-Ruhamah, was "Not Loved," the third Lo-Ammi suggested, "Not My People." God told another prophet Isaiah "I have called you by name."
The Savior gives a believer Jesus' own title as the Christ and indwells that person who is now called "Christian." Paul asserts, "Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you?" 2
"Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father."
Question for Discussion
What do you want a name to do?
Notes
1John 20.14-17. 22 Corinthians 13.5.
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