Loving God, as we remember how Jesus’ identity was announced by angels, we also become aware of how our true identity is to be found in you.  Help us this day to see you more clearly, love you more dearly and follow you more nearly by the power of your Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

    Do any of you know either what your name means or why you were given the name that you have?  (Responses) There are all sorts of different reasons for being given a particular name.

    In Jesus’ case, however, his name was announced by an angel before he was ever born.  Most baby boys in those days would have been named after a male relative (cf. Lk. 1:59-63).  However, for Jesus his name says a lot about what he would end up doing with his life.  If you look up Yeshuwa, which is the Hebrew form of the name Jesus, the meaning is “he will save.”  That’s why in Matthew the angel says, “you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (1:21).  To take the meaning just a little bit further, the feminine form of Yeshuwah has a whole list of meanings that seem to have a lot to do with Jesus: something saved; deliverance; aid; health; help; salvation; welfare; and saving health.

    And so, when Jesus was eight days old, the name of Jesus was given to him, as well as the mark of circumcision.  This is the same as for all baby boys born under the Jewish law, as he became a member of the covenant that was made with Abraham (Gen. 17).  This covenant contained three promises for the descendants of Abraham: a land of their own, lots of descendants, and that through them all the nations of the earth would be blessed.

    Have any of you had something similar done to you, where you became part of a covenant?  (Not circumcision, but baptism!)  Absolutely!  When you were baptized, God made a covenant with you – the new covenant that is in Jesus.  This covenant also contains God’s promises: forgiveness, salvation and eternal life.  At one time, this would also have been like a naming ceremony for many people – a time soon after birth when they would have been given their “Christian” names, or Christened.  However, regardless of how old you were when you were baptized, you, too, are part of a covenant with God.

    Today, as we think about Jesus and the day when he would have been named and circumcised, we are led into the whole question of identity.  It is the day when Jesus would have become part of the covenant people – the chosen people – the children of Israel.  It is also a day when the purpose of Jesus’ life comes to the forefront – not just in the meaning of his name, but in everything else that the angels announced about him.  He would not only be called Jesus, but also Messiah and Saviour and Lord.  He is Son of God and Son of David and an eternal king.  Jesus’ identity, it seems, is all laid out for him.

    However, what about us?  How do we do with the whole question of our identity?  I was recently reading a book that asserts that the majority of working people will answer the question “Who are you?” with what they do for a living (The Joy of Not Working by Ernie J. Zelinski).  I’m a doctor.  I’m an engineer or a writer.  I’m a receptionist or a business owner or an electronics technician.  I’m a mother or a grandmother.  I’m a welder or a mechanic.  And then, this same author asks the question, “Who are you when you no longer have this job?”  In other words, the essence of who we are runs much deeper than what we do for a living.

    The essence of who we are also runs much deeper than the things that you might put on a passport application.  Height.  Weight.  Eye colour.  Hair colour.  Full name.  Address.  Occupation.  Marital status.  Citizenship.  Country of birth.  And then after all that you will need a couple of references who will be able to “confirm your identity.”  I wonder what the passport office would say if a reference said, “Oh yes.  I know him.  He’s a precious child of God!”  Not quite what they’re looking for, right?

    Yet, as Christians, our relationship with God through Jesus Christ is right at the centre of our identity.  We, too, are part of a covenant people.  We are precious children of God.  And so we have our name, and we have our place among God’s children.  However, do we know our purpose – our reason for being in this world?

    How about you?  What is your purpose?  (Any responses?)  Once again, there are probably many different ways that people have answered this question.  Here is what I believe to be the biblical answer: Our purpose is to live in relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  As we do so, we are to grow in love – love for God and love for the people around us.  Also, as we continue in fellowship with God, people will experience both the light of Christ and the kingdom of God through us.

    It is not as specific as Jesus’ purpose, but it certainly leaves a lot of room for each of us to use our own unique gifts and to find our place in this world.  It is a purpose that is actually freeing, rather than restrictive – inviting us to live every day and to approach every challenge in partnership with God.

    And so, as we begin a new calendar year, it is often a time for resolutions and for fresh starts.  I can’t say that I’ve ever found New Year’s resolutions to be terribly helpful.  However, when I think about continuing to grow in my relationship with God and living every day aware of God’s presence and power, that seems like a very good thing to do.  Perhaps we could focus on this as 2012 begins.

    Perhaps we could also go forward with an awareness of how God has given us our identity, just as Jesus was given his.  No matter what our name is, God knows it, and God calls us by name and tells us that we belong to God.  God also makes a covenant with us, reconciling us to himself in our baptism through Jesus Christ.  And finally, God has created us for a purpose: to live each day in partnership with God, shining the light of Christ in whatever we do.

    And so, go in peace.  Christ is with you!  Thanks be to God!  Amen.

The Name of Jesus                            Luke 2:15-21
January 1, 2012
St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church
Pastor Lynne Hutchison

© 2012 Lynne Hutchison  All Rights Reserved