What's in a name

There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

What’s in a name? The question is famously asked in Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet (Act II, Scene 2). Romeo, hiding beneath Juliet’s balcony, overhears her talking to herself. She is giving eloquent expression to the pain she feels that they cannot marry. Because she is a Capulet and he is a Montague, their families will never consent. If only Romeo had a different name, then they could marry and live happily ever after.

O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?

Deny thy father and refuse thy name….

Tis but thy name that is my enemy…

O, be some other name….

Juliet vainly imagines that Romeo can somehow be separated from his name. She verbalizes her anguish in words that have been memorized by students of English literature for centuries:

What’s in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet.

Juliet wants to know: what’s the big deal about names? If we called a rose an onion, what

difference would it make? Names are just arbitrary labels that have nothing to do with a person’s true identity. Right?

I confess that, when it comes to interpreting Shakespeare, I often get confused. Whether Juliet’s musings on the balcony have validity, I’m not sure. If Romeo Montague changed his name to Buford Holtzclaw, well, why wouldn’t that work? I’ll leave it to others to answer that question. But there is one thing I know for sure: the name of Jesus must not be tampered with! A messiah by any other name would not smell as sweet!

The name of Jesus matters! The New Testament is dogmatic about this. An angel explained to Joseph that God had already named the baby in Mary’s womb. “You shall call his name Jesus,” he said (Matt. 1:21). The name comes from the Hebrew Yeshua (or Joshua), which means “the Lord saves.” The New Testament underscores the importance of Jesus’ name and its unique ability to save on numerous occasions (see Lk. 24:49; Jn. 20:31; Ac. 4:12; Phil. 2:9-11).  

Although the name of Jesus is a sweet aroma for many, it is a noxious odor for others. It’s

not the moral imperatives of the gospel that bother them or its demand for spiritual formation. It’s that name! These people will do all they can to ensure that that name is not mentioned in public places (except as a swear word!) and will cancel anyone who dares to use it! Philosopher Peter Kreeft paints a picture of what often happens.

At a fashionable cocktail party, if you confess that you are a nuclear terrorist or a foreign spy

or that you have invented a new way to commit suicide or that you practice sex with

crocodiles, you will attract a buzzing crowd of human flies and probably a big book

contract. But if you confess that Jesus is your Lord, you will feel the temperature suddenly

drop, and you will find yourself alone. (How to Destroy Western Civilization, 2021. p. 74.).

No one understood the scandalous nature of the Name better than Jesus himself. He warned his disciples that they would be hated and persecuted not so much because of their behavior, doctrinal beliefs, or religious practices. No. The world would hold them in contempt precisely because they bore his name. “You will be hated by all for my name’s sake,” he told them (Matt. 10:22; 24:9. Emphasis added.).

At first glance, this vicious reaction is hard to explain. Jesus was not violent, immoral, or greedy. He healed the sick, showed compassion to the marginalized, told great stories, and provided exceptional beverage service at wedding receptions. Even his enemies acknowledged that he was humble, kind, and good. How does one explain the virulent reaction that he provoked almost everywhere he went? What is so offensive about Jesus? Why is his name so scandalous?

I’m so glad you asked.

The New Testament makes it clear that it wasn’t what Jesus taught that was the problem. Nor was it what he did. It was, rather, who he claimed to be! When he spoke about his own identity, people just went ballistic! Although multiple examples could be cited (see Jn. 8:58-59; 10:30-31; etc.), it was at his trial that Jesus was most clear.

Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”  62  And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”  63  And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need?  64  You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death. (Mk. 14:61b-64).

 No one can remain neutral before a man who makes such audacious claims. Either Jesus was telling the truth or he wasn’t. Few people have stated the issue with more clarity than C.S. Lewis:

If you had gone to Buddha and asked him, ‘Are you the son of Bramah?’ he would have

said, ‘My son, you are still in the vale of illusion.’ If you had gone to Socrates and asked,

‘Are you Zeus?’ he would have laughed at you. If you had gone to Mohammed and asked,

‘Are you Allah?’ he would first have rent his clothes and then cut your head off. If you had

asked Confucius, ‘Are you Heaven?’, I think he would have probably replied, ‘Remarks

which are not in accordance with nature are in bad taste.’ The idea of a great moral teacher

saying what Christ said is out of the question. In my opinion, the only person who can say

that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic…. He produced mainly three effects:

hatred, terror, adoration. There was no trace of people expressing mild approval. (God in the

Dock, 1970. pp. 157-158).

What’s in a name? Juliet may have believed that a Romeo by any other name would still be a

Romeo, but Christians understand that a Savior by any other name is no savior at all! Today, we have the privilege to name the Name. I’ll pray for you to be faithful in this sacred task and I trust that you will pray for me.

Ye servants of God, your master proclaim,

And publish abroad his wonderful name.

The name all victorious of Jesus extol

His kingdom is glorious and rules over all. (Charles Wesley),

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