23 – Wearing the Name

Galen

Sep 4

Then he went to Tarsus to search for Saul, and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught large numbers. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch. – Acts 11:25-26

Prior to being called "Christians", followers of Christ were simply known as believers, followers, saints, or disciples. Those are all apt terms for those who believe in Christ, but all that changed in the town of Syrian Antioch.

It's easy to miss the significance of names sometimes. In years past, names had meaning. Today few people name their children something because they like what the name means.

Alexander the Great had conquered nearly the entire known world by the time he we 26 years of age. He was known for his military genius and his great courage and bravery.

At one point, Alexander was informed that there was another man in his army who was a coward. The great general ordered that the man be brought to him. Shaking before Alexander the Great, Alexander asked him what his name was. The man answered, "Alexander."

"You have the same name as me?"

"Yes," the man muttered.

"Then be brave and courageous – or change your name."

Have you ever wondered what Jesus thinks of those who wear his name? How many of us, I wonder, would he counsel much the same way as Alexander counseled his soldier? Would he look at me – or you – and tell us to be brave or to change our name from Christian to something else?

Harry A. Ironside was a famous preacher in the first half of this century. Once, when on a mission trip overseas to a foreign country, some people began calling him, Yesuian. Perplexed and not understanding their language, he asked someone what they were saying. The answer was awesome: Yesuian, he was told, mean "the Jesus man."

Wouldn't it be awesome if everyone who sees you or I could call us "the Jesus man" or "Jesus woman"!

Will you take up Jesus' challenge - the same challenge that Alexander gave his soldier - either act courageously or change your name? Make it your goal today that whoever sees you today, whoever hears you today, whoever encounters you today would be able to say that you are a Yesuian?

PRAYER: Let us never be ashamed to be called by your name. Let us always make you proud of us and make you proud that we carry the same name as you! In Jesus' name, Amen.