Reflection: Honoring the Name (September 30, 2012)

The 18th Sunday after Pentecost
Jeremiah 11:18-20; James 3:13-4:10; Mark 9:30-37

How often do you hear God’s name being misused? It seems like we can’t watch television, listen to popular music, or go out in public without hearing the name of God misused in one way or another. From the ubiquitous “OMG” to outright cursing, people do not honor God’s name, but feel free to dishonor it in many ways. While the name of Jesus is being trampled, the name of Mohammed is being treated with dignity. Recently a journalist noted how the mainstream media are using the phrase “the Prophet Mohammed” when they make reference to the founder of Islam. Imagine the outrage that would follow a secular journalist referring to Jesus as “the Lord Jesus Christ” or “Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.” Why do people treat Jesus’ name so casually (even abusively) yet use Mohammed’s name so carefully? The journalist suggests that people fear the backlash of Muslims who insist, even violently, that Mohammed’s name be honored.

 

While we hold up the right to free speech and have the sensibility to restrain ourselves from violent reactions when being offended, the truth of the matter is that we have failed to honor the name of Jesus in our own speech and, more importantly, in our lives. People around us feel free to misuse God’s name because they hear us misusing His name. They also witness us watching movies that blaspheme God, listening to music that uses His name as profanity, and following TV series that trample Jesus and His teachings underfoot. No wonder people don’t hesitate to dishonor the name of Jesus.

Condemned by the 2nd Commandment, “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God,” we look to Him to deliver us from our neglect, misuse, and abuse of His name. We offer up our prayers of repentance in the name of Jesus. We hear His gracious Word of Absolution in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. By the power of the name, we are renewed and restored, freed to honor His name in the words that we speak and in the lives that we live. But rather than violently defend the honor of His name, we are called to patiently and faithfully labor in love so that those who one day will bow their knees at the name of Jesus might do so in peace — just as we will by the power of His name.

Audio file of the sermon "Honoring the Name."