YOUR NEW NAME
25th January 2015
BI: Jacob wrestled with God before his new beginning as many of us must also
FCF: Like Jacob our default is to run from and not wrestle with God
Readings: Genesis 32:24-31; Acts 11:19-26
Set in the second century AD the movie
Gladiator tells the story of Maximus, a great
warrior originally from Spain. He becomes
Commander of the Roman armies and is loved
by his men and the ageing emperor alike.
However the emperor’s nasty and unpleasant
son learns his father is about to make Maximus
emperor in his stead. Taking matters into his
own hand he murders his father and orders the
execution of Maximus and his family. Maximus
escapes but too late to save his wife and son.
Captured by slave traders Maximus is sold as a gladiator where he is expected to
die quickly. Instead he not only survives but also becomes a champion. So much so
he ultimately fights in the great Coliseum before the vile emperor who ordered his
death.
After a stunning upset and remarkable victory the emperor descends into the arena.
Hidden behind his helmet and of course expected to be dead Maximus now stands
before the very man who murdered his wife and son.
Commodus: Your fame is well deserved, Spaniard. I don’t believe there’s ever been
a gladiator that matched you… Why doesn’t the hero reveal himself and tell us all
your real name? (Maximus remains silent) You do have a name?
Maximus: My name is Gladiator. (he turns and walks away)
Commodus: How dare you show your back to me?! Slave! You will remove your
helmet and tell me your name.
Maximus: (Slowly, very slowly he lifts his helmet he turns to face his enemy)
My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius,
Commander of the Armies of the North
General of the Felix Legions
loyal servant to the true emperor
father to a murdered son
husband to a murdered wife,
and I will have my vengeance,
in this life or the next
Where do you go to learn an answer like that?1
1
See John Eldredge, Wild at Heart, p 100
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Rev Douglas Bradley
Glendowie Presbyterian Church
“Tell us your name” the emperor wanted to know. Now names - whether it be
Maximus, or John or Mary, of David or Sienna - are important and represent more
than a label. Our parents thought long and hard about our names and often there is
a story behind the final decision. Maybe we have a family name, or one that
resonated with our parents, or maybe we carry the name a special mentor or friend.
Kelvin and Kim were very intentional in Sienna’s middle name being Grace. The
further they are along in their faith and parenting they are struck again and again by
God’s underserved favour - so we baptised Sienna Grace this morning.
Names are special. Though not all parents get it right.
You may have seen the article in this past week’s herald about baby names Internal
Affairs rejected in 2014. Deemed too bizarre or offensive for newborns rejected
names included “Justice”, Prince, Bishop, Royal, 3rd, Senior Constable, V8, Lucifer,
and Christ.2
We may chuckle and know that Internal Affairs in likelihood are doing those babies
a big favour. Yes, names are important for they carry meaning – especially in the
Bible. Adam is a word play on the Hebrew word for ground or dirt from which he
was created. Eve means life in reference to bearing children. Isaac means laughter
in reference to both Sarah’s incredulous response when told she at 90 she would
conceive and to how she felt when a son was miraculously born as promised.
Isaac’s later named one Esau which means red because he had red hair and lots of
it. The other twin… Jacob which means grasper as he was born grasping his
bother’s heal. Joshua means God saves and indicates how God would use him to
save Israel from their enemies as they conquered the Promised Land. A number of
you will know that the Greek variant of Joshua is Jesus the name given to Joseph
by an angel for Mary’s firstborn son - Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, Saviour of
the world.
Yes in the Bible we see names are much more significant than labels. But we also
see, from time to time, God giving people a new name. And whenever he does it
means a new beginning. There is Abraham. His birth name was Abram (father is
exalted) but God said from now you will be Abraham (father of multitude). Then
there is Peter. His birth name was Simon - a fisherman impetuous, brash and
cowardly. But Jesus said “From now on you will be Peter, which means rock and
upon this rock I will build my church”
Today’s focus is Jacob, which means grasper and his name became… Well let’s
see. Turn with me to Genesis 32:24
2
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11388092; Jan 19th
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Rev Douglas Bradley
Glendowie Presbyterian Church
Born grasping his twins heal Jacob grew up to be a grasper and deceiver in life. He
deceived his older brother from first his birthright and later the special blessings of
the oldest. Such was his grasping nature that Esau breathed threats of death
against Jacob who fled to distant family. There he met his match with uncle Laban –
an even greater deceiver than Jacob. However a number of years God says to
Jacob…
Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.
Genesis 31:3
You see after fourteen years Jacob is a different man. So he obeys. However a day
or twos journey from home disturbing news reaches him. His brother, last vowing
his death, is approaching with 400 men. Jacob’s response – prayer! How much this
man has changed. Follow with me in Genesis 32:9
Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, O
Lord, who said to me, ‘Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will
make you prosper,’ I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have
shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I
have become two groups. Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau,
Genesis 32:9-11
Dividing his family and wealth into two so if one group is attacked the other may be
spared he sends them across the Jordon. However as night falls he finds himself
alone on the far side. Picking up in verse 24…
So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the
man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip
so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said,
“Let me go, for it is daybreak.”
But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
The man asked him, “What is your name?”
“Jacob,” he answered.
Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you
have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.” Genesis 32:24–28.
3/6
Rev Douglas Bradley
Glendowie Presbyterian Church
He who was known as he who grasps will now be known as he who wrestles with
God. Jacob becomes Israel. Over the 14 years or more he had lived and worked for
his uncle, marrying two daughters, working hard with the flocks God had done a
work in Jacob, the grasper and deceiver. Instead of running from God he now
wrestled with God. Wrestled with God until he was assured of God’s blessing. Not
an angry, “I will beat you God” but a “I will cling onto you until I know your blessing”.
I remember from first year here at GPC. I came into building program in full swing
but with some real difficulties behind the scenes. Then in quick succession the
funeral of a much loved elder who died before his time, and a suicide of a father
with young twin girls. Straight out of Knox still finding my feet - the best advice I got
from a college was “Cling to Jesus” and he was right. Cling to Jesus until he
blesses you and then still cling. Wrestle with God until you are assured he will go
with you into the challenge. That’s what Jacob did.
He did not want to face Esau without God and so after wrestling all night and not
letting so he was assured. And what was the sign of the blessing. He was given a
new name - Israel. Which means he who wrestles with God and he walked with a
limp for the rest of his life.
Here lies the challenge for us today. No matter where we are in our faith journey
our default is Jacob’s default – to run from God. Whether it be Adam hiding in the
bushes as God walked in the cool of the evening, or Sarah hiding in the tent
overhearing the news that she will give birth or Jacob running from God to a far off
land, we prefer to run than wrestle with God. Yet God calls us to himself. And like
Jacob we do well to pray, “I am unworthy of all your kindness and your faithfulness
you have shown me”3 and “I will not let you go unless you bless me”4.
Today each one of us, like Jacob, has an area in our lives we are running away
from God. It may be an addiction, it may be a relationship we need to let go or a
marriage we need to work on. Maybe as parents we need to step up. Maybe it’s a
financial issue or an attitude we need to sort out. And maybe we need help. God is
saying “go up for prayer after the service and ask for prayer” or make a time to talk
to Douglas. Instead of running away, God is inviting each on one of us, including
me, to come. And at times, by no means every time, but at times this means
wrestling, persevering and clinging to God.
3
4
Gen 32:10
Gen 32:26
4/6
Rev Douglas Bradley
Glendowie Presbyterian Church
And what’s more like Jacob God givens us a new name. Did you know this?
Whatever your birth names you now have a new name and a new start. Jacob, now
called Israel made a new start with his family and a new start back in the promised
land. And God gives us a new name, not once plus twice. First our new name is
“Christian”.
First used in Antioch, as we heard in today’s reading, “Christian” originally meant
“those loyal to Christ” or of the “household of Christ”. Many interpreters believe it
was initially a term of derision or ridicule by outsiders and was not the early
believers first choice. However it slowly became accepted as the name for followers
of Jesus. In 21st century NZ “Christian” is loaded word - for those outside the
church it is often seen as a negative descriptor for those “holier than thou”,
hypocritical, judgmental, homophobic and the like. However, for those with a
genuine, living relationship with Jesus “Christian” means “Christ follower” and a
name we bear with pride. For tied up with this name is being “Christ-like”.
Something we long to be more and more like as the Holy Spirit works to hold and
shape us into his image. Christian is the new name that signifies a new beginning
for all those that chose to follow Christ.
Yet, we have another name. One waiting for us. A new name that will be ours
alone. For the apostle John writing to seven churches in first century Asia Minor
has these words from Jesus himself.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him
who overcomes, I (Jesus) will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him
a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.
Rev 12:12
A new name, written on a white stone to every believer who overcomes - who
hangs in there, who clings to Jesus - especially in the hard times. And what of this
new name will unknown this side of eternity. George MacDonald insightful writes, It
is… “God alone who can give us this new name. For no one but God sees who a
person truly is”. I believe it will have echoes of the name we now bare but will be
fresh, and clear like a mountain stream and deep and still like the oceans depths.
When God first speaks this name it will resonate from within encapsulating all we
are in a way profound, deep and true. Yes God knows our name - as he knows the
very depth of our souls. A new name for a new beginning as enter God’s presence
for eternity.
So where have we been today? In the Bible a new name signifies a new beginning.
For Jacob it meant wrestling, clinging to God until he was assured of the blessing.
Renamed Israel he now had the strength to reconcile with his family and go on in
God’s plan for his life. We too have a new name - “Christian”. Given at conversion it
represents the new beginning we have in Christ. A new beginning to become more
and more like Jesus as the Holy Spirit works in our lives and as we live out God’s
5/6
Rev Douglas Bradley
Glendowie Presbyterian Church
plan for each of us. And finally we have a new name written on a white stone
waiting for us when we move from this side of eternity to the next – an ultimate new
name for the last new beginning.
Now as I was preparing this message I found myself wondering, more than once,
how I would answer the question put to Maximas. You remember, “Tell us your
name, your real name. You do have a name don’t you?”
In nearly not so as grand away I might answer something like this.
My name is Douglas
I am father to Ryan, Sarah, Michael and Amanda
Husband to the lovely Judy
I serve Christ amongst the saints of Glendowie
My name is Christian
My name is written on a white stone waiting for me…
And I walk with a limp.
Amen
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Rev Douglas Bradley
Glendowie Presbyterian Church