What is it in a name ?

"And you will give him the name of Jesus" Matthew 1.21

 

Do you know the story of Romeo and Juliet written by W. Shakespeare ? It is the drama of two young people who love each other : Juliette Capulet and Roméo Montaigu. Their love is impossible because of the hatred that the two families feed against each other. Juliette is sad and realizes that the only barrier to their love is related to their surname. This is why Juliette will say to her beloved : "Your name alone is my enemy You are not a Montaigu, you are yourself What is a Montaigu ? What is there in a name ? What we call a rose would embalm as much under another name. " In reality, the problem did not reside in who was Romeo but rather in what his surname inspired.
Jesus came to save, to love, to forgive, to raise those who are slaughtered

This story leads me to reflect on what the name of Jesus evokes and the idea that people do. Finally, many people hate Christianity without really understanding who the Lord is. Because of bad testimony, violent stance or hasty judgment ... In fact, do people really hate Jesus or the idea they have of him ?

The letters "Jesus" are above all the expression of his being. Jesus came to save, to love, to forgive, to raise up those who are slain. What's in a name ? In this particular case there is hope, power, authority, courage and consolation.

Perhaps you are angry with the shameful testimony of a Christian, the clergy, a denomination, an assembly, a way of doing things ? I invite you to look to Jesus because he alone is worthy to receive praise and adoration. Do not hate Jesus because of others but just look at who he is.

A reflection for today

Does my testimony honor or sully the name of Jesus ?
Read Proverbs 22: 1 and Ecclesiastes 7: 1

Patrice Martorano

Source (The Thought of the Day)