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2B. The Meaning of a Christian 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' Mystical 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"(11).
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. John's," and my denomination has a name, "The Anglican Church of Canada." I live in a place called "Peterborough." My country has the name, "Canada." 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 honours my accepted place in society, a family and a community of faith.
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 Saviour 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?"(12).
God's name!
In Exodus, God tells Moses that his name is "I am who I am." The verb "to be" expresses the eternal nature of God and his continuous presence. One commentary suggests, "When God speaks of himself he says 'I am,' and when we speak of him we say, 'He is'"(13).
During Jesus' ministry, the crowds were very curious about who he was and pressed him with the question, "Who are you?" Jesus responded strangely, "Before Abraham was born, I am"(14). He purposely uses the holy "I am" name of God. As a result "at this they picked up stones to stone him"(15). They knew clearly what Jesus was implying.
The reason for their hostile reaction was recorded, "We are not stoning you for any of these (good works), but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God"(16). Later, Jesus linked his own name with that of his father saying, "The Father is in me, and I in the Father"(17). These claims of deity once more prompted a hostile reaction so that "again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp."(18)
One Powerful Name
When the guards came to arrest Jesus in the garden, he asked them whom they were seeking. They answered, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus replied "I am he." John records that "When Jesus said, 'I am he,' they drew back and fell to the ground"(19). A detachment of soldiers and police from the Chief Priests and the Pharisees were knocked to the dirt! The holy name of God on the lips of Jesus had power in itself.
The Mysterious Name
All names beginning "I am" bear witness to the deity of Jesus and describe different aspects of it. For example, Jesus said "I am the good shepherd," "I am the bread of life," "the way, the truth and the light" and "the resurrection and the life." Though not immediately obvious to us, Jesus' claims were clearly discerned by the Jews who heard him. They knew that he was claiming to be God and to have the power and authority of the Almighty.
Questions for Discussion
1. What do you want a name to do?
2. Describe some of Mary's feelings about becoming the mother of Jesus.
Notes
(11) John 20.14-17. (12) 2 Corinthians 13.5. (13) N. I. V. Commentary (14) John 8.58. (15) John 8.59. (16) John 10.33. (17) John 10.38 (18) John 10.39. (19) John 18.5,6.
"We are living members of his mystical body"
