Apr
02
2020
By Anonymous (not verified)
"Who do you make yourself out to be?" - Jn 8:53
Names matter in the Jewish world. To a great extent, the naming of a child is seen as prophetic. Indeed, this connection is mentioned in the Bible (see 1 Sam 25:25). The Hebrew word for "soul" is neshamah. In the middle of that word are two letters - shin and mem - which make the word shem, which is Hebrew for "name." A name, therefore, is not just an identifier. It's seen as the key to a person's soul, their innermost being.
So, when you see someone in the Bible receive a new name, pay attention. They are a new person with a new prophetic mission. Abram became Abraham, the patriarch of the Jews. Jacob became Israel. Simon became Peter. Saul became Paul.
In today's Gospel, Jesus uses Yahweh's own self-designation, "I AM," for Himself. We know the Jews He is addressing understand it, because they immediately reach for stones to put Him to death for blasphemy.
Jesus says that, despite their claims, they don't know God. They have only gotten to know the name of God. If they had a real relationship with Him, Jesus says, they would recognize the Son of God before them.
The early followers of Christ were mockingly called Christians (see Acts 11:26), from the Greek word christianos meaning "little Christs." May we truly live up to our new name.
Prayer: May I live up to my name and mission as a Christian.
See all meditations to date
Names matter in the Jewish world. To a great extent, the naming of a child is seen as prophetic. Indeed, this connection is mentioned in the Bible (see 1 Sam 25:25). The Hebrew word for "soul" is neshamah. In the middle of that word are two letters - shin and mem - which make the word shem, which is Hebrew for "name." A name, therefore, is not just an identifier. It's seen as the key to a person's soul, their innermost being.
So, when you see someone in the Bible receive a new name, pay attention. They are a new person with a new prophetic mission. Abram became Abraham, the patriarch of the Jews. Jacob became Israel. Simon became Peter. Saul became Paul.
In today's Gospel, Jesus uses Yahweh's own self-designation, "I AM," for Himself. We know the Jews He is addressing understand it, because they immediately reach for stones to put Him to death for blasphemy.
Jesus says that, despite their claims, they don't know God. They have only gotten to know the name of God. If they had a real relationship with Him, Jesus says, they would recognize the Son of God before them.
The early followers of Christ were mockingly called Christians (see Acts 11:26), from the Greek word christianos meaning "little Christs." May we truly live up to our new name.
Prayer: May I live up to my name and mission as a Christian.
See all meditations to date
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