Name Lifting

Acts 4:5-12; John 3:16-21

“Let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth....”

Name dropping is used to inflate one's stature in a conversation by linking oneself to a famous person or situation. This is sometimes done while talking about something completely different. The names are just "dropped" into the conversation. Some attempts are more subtle than others, but the practice is annoying and considered in poor taste. Name dropping can become very hazardous to one's mental and sometimes physical health. Consider what happened to Romeo and Juliet after she suggested they drop their names....

O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I'll no longer be a Capulet.

'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
......................
What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet...¹

In exploring “What's in a name?” this week, I came across the Kabalarian Philosophy. KP claims the dissemination of the wisdom of life “based upon definite laws clearly understandable and applicable, teaching one's relationship to the two basic laws of life—mathematics and language.” When language is used to attach a name to someone this creates the basis of mind, from which all thoughts and experiences flow. By representing the conscious forces combined in your name as a mathematical formula, one's specific mental characteristics, strengths and weaknesses are measurable.

With an understanding of the basic principles of language and mathematics, the characteristics of any name can be calculated to reveal the mind of that person, and an understanding of mind allows one to see the source of one's success or failure. A name that encourages balance with one's inner purpose is an open door to happiness and fulfillment, but a name that encourages discord does just the opposite. A change in name leads to a change in one's mind, and, with a knowledge of KP, that change can be for the best.²

I think I would like to suggest that there is another wisdom-of-life reason the initials of this philosophy are “KP” (Kitchen police).

The true wisdom of life comes to us through the Word of God. After Peter and John perform a miraculous healing of the man born lame, they were teaching the crowds that had gathered at the sight about the Lord and proclaiming that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead” (Acts 4:2). Luke tells us that many of those who heard the word believed; and they numbered about 5000 (Acts 4:4).

For their trouble, the High Priests, rulers, elders and scribes had the two men arrested and called them out with the weighty question, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, bluntly answers, “...this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth....” (v 4:10b).

Though they denied his name, even the chief priests and the scribes could not argue the issue. Verse 4:14 says of the rulers, “When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside Peter and John, the Council had nothing to say in opposition.” Annas, Caiaphas and the others did not believe in Jesus' power, of course, but they could not deny the miracle standing before them, accomplished in the name above all names, Jesus Christ.

What does the name of Jesus Christ mean to you? Is it a name to drop into conversation once in a while, or an expletive to be deleted? It is a name we use in prayer, in sacrament, in reverence and in times of sorrow and of celebration, in praise and thanksgiving. The name of Jesus Christ means to me a savior, a fellow sufferer and co-servant; the name claims me, loves me no matter what. There's just something about that name, it belongs to the one who rescues me from the dominion of darkness, assuring me that I am not alone.

You can get a free name analysis from the Kabalarians by plugging in your first and last names along with your birth date. Free being the operative word, I had my name analyzed. But then, the devil in me filled out another form, in which I placed the first name “Jesus,” and the surname “Christ.” I gave the birth date as December 25, and I tried using the year 0004, but the form came back that I had to use a date from 1900 on. So, I used 2000.

Here's a sample of the free analysis that was mailed to me in a matter of minutes. Your first name reveals your personality—your desires, ideals, goals, ambitions, as well as potential health weaknesses.

Your name of Jesus has some fine qualities. You have a pleasant, diplomatic way with people, and seem to sense how others feel. For this reason, you could do well in public relations work. You appreciate the finer things in life and like to have a good material standard of living. You feel that it is important to convey the impression that you are financially secure, and you place importance on your mode of dress, and on appearances generally.

While you could do well in a position of authority, there is a certain lack of initiative in your makeup, and a tendency to procrastinate, which may prevent you from attaining positions of responsibility. Inability to make important decisions and a degree of passivity prevent you from concentrating or truly applying yourself to your work. You prefer to choose the easiest way to accomplish your goals, and would probably readily admit that you dislike hard work. However, your likeable personality sees you through most situations. Weaknesses in health could affect the kidneys or lower back.

The “surname” Christ carries an equal amount of erroneous analysis, yet in a haunting way:

“Impulsive and intense in nature, they (Christs) are taken into chaotic situations and encounter serious accidents. These people are inclined to trust people and take them at their word, only to find that others let them down. Caustic and uncontrolled speech is another great detrimient to their success and personal happiness, and their very independent natures will not allow them to merge with others.”

KP claims that the combined names “Jesus Christ” create “a desire to be financially independent and have an interest in economics and business affairs. Just when opportunities seems to be coming your way, you are overlooked in favor of someone else. You are taken away from association with people and experience much aloneness. You could experience health problems affecting the heart and lungs.”³ Let's try these names:

Son of God/Son of Man/Son of David/Word and Lamb

Rabbi/Teacher/Head of Church/Name above Names/Righteous Word

King of Kings/Lord of Lords/Life and Death/Means of Grace

Morning Star/Fairest Face/Savior/Servant/Rebel, Truth-- What's His name mean to you?

You could pay the Kabalarian Society $145, and they will help you change your name to one that is more balanced and will bring you success and strength. God's Word tells us, though, that there is but one name that will give us all we need for this life: it is the name Jesus Christ. He paid the ultimate price to give us his name.

In Jesus' day, people witnessed miracles and ate their fill; beneath his cross they wept unto death; they betrayed, confessed, ran away and denied his name. Still--In the name of Jesus, people are healed and raised from the dead. He saves from our sins, grants us mercy and promises salvation. His name is Jesus.

This is the name—the only name—that allows the weak to be strong; the poor to feel rich, the hungry to be fed, and the lame to walk. His name aids the tempted to resist, the hopeless to rise, and the forsaken to rejoice—all, all because of what Christ has done for us.

Do not deny thy Father and refuse thy Son's name, for it is the name of Jesus Christ that holds within it the power to walk, to see, to heal, to serve and to love. His name is not the enemy; it is the Savior. In Christ we are born anew. We have it in writing: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Do the math and claim your name, my friends. Get out of KP Duty. Forget about name dropping; get in the habit of name lifting and see what an amazing-grace difference it makes in your life. I know it has in mine. Amen.

April 29, 2012

First Parish Federated Church of South Berwick, ME

The Reverend Donna Lee Muise, Pastor

1Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet, First Folio.

2Kabalarians.com

3Kabalarian.com/Jesus/Christ