Revealing the One who Reveals (Part I) – The Name of Jesus

Sermon Title: There’s Power in a Name, His Name…

Good News Statement: Jesus invites us to live into the power of his name

Preached: Sunday, January 12th, 2025 at Dogwood Prairie UMC & Seed Chapel UMC

Pastor Daniel G. Skelton, M.Div.

 

Scripture (NRSVUE): Luke 2:22-35 Today’s scripture reading comes from the Gospel of Luke who introduces us to a man named Simeon who not only presents the new born Christ to the Lord, but reveals him to all people. May we find ways in 2025 to reveal who Jesus is in our life. Our scripture reading is Luke Chapter Two, Verses Twenty-Two thru Thirty-Five. May the hearing and understanding of this scripture add a blessing to your life.

 

Jesus Is Named

21 When the eighth day came, it was time to circumcise the child, and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Jesus Is Presented in the Temple

22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), 24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

29 “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word,
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
31     which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.”

33 And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed 35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul, too.”

 

This is the Word of God for the People of God; And all God’s people said, “Thanks be to God.”

 

Introduction:

The announcement has been made, Mary has given birth to her firstborn son and has wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger. The  heavenly host of angels have sung, “Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace among those whom he favors” (Luke 2:14). The shepherds have received “good news of great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10), they have traveled to Bethlehem to witness what took place, and they shared with Mary, before “glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen” (Luke 2:20), news that she treasured and pondered in her heart (Luke 2:19). Now the Magi have arrived and left gifts of gold, frankincense, myrrh, and have travelled home going a different way and avoiding King Herod. Christ has been born, in the city of David, to a people that need to be transformed.

To commemorate that special day, we lit the Christ Candle. That candle is more than just a symbol of hope, peace, joy, and love: it represents a source of light that no amount of darkness can prevail over nor cover. Through this Candle, Christ has entered our life: “And the Word became flesh and lived among us…” (John 1:14). With this candle we have been given a gift, a name above all names. With Christ now fully present in our life, we must not wait to reveal who Christ is to us. We must not wait to reveal who Christ is to our church. We must not wait to reveal what Christ is calling us to do. We must not wait to find ways to keep his light shining as we enter a New Year: a year filled with accomplishments, successes and failures, joy and pain, new beginnings and setbacks, and good news and doubt. We must not wait to pass along the “good news of great joy to all people” through what we do and what we say.

Today, we look forward to the future as individuals and as a church. Today, we find ways to reveal who Jesus is and what Jesus does for us and the church. Today, we think about how we will reveal Jesus Christ in 2025 by spending time with Simeon—actually several weeks—with a priest who waited his entire career for the day when he would bless the one who would in turn bless him. Luke is the only Gospel writer—writing about the year 85 CE, approximately 50 years after the death of Christ—to mention this moment in Jesus’ life. A moment that revealed the one who reveals us. We begin by taking note that the one being blessed and revealed is named Jesus.

 

Body:

Today’s passage shows Mary and Joseph bringing their child to the Jerusalem Temple. This would have been at least 33 days after the circumcision of their child on the 8th day (according to Leviticus 12:1-8). In presenting their child at the Jerusalem Temple they are offering sacrifices as a form of prayer and dedication of their child.

Luke notes the parents do not offer the required lamb sacrifice but the exception to the poor of doves and pigeons. Obviously, Mary and Joseph had not received the gifts (gold, frankincense, myrrh) of the Magi yet. So, they gave what they could, something simple and something they could afford. Furthermore, this event was like any other, with likely other families dedicating their child on that same day. To Mary and Joseph, there was nothing really extraordinary or miraculous about what needed to be done. Mary and Joseph were simply following what they had been taught. However, something did happen; and Mary and Joseph didn’t expect God to respond so quickly as He did, confirming that God did, indeed, have plans for Jesus –plans to accomplish the incredible rescue God had prepared and proclaimed through the prophets. It’s profound, really. Mary and Joseph present Jesus to the Lord. And the Lord gives him right back as a Savior, a gift He’d prepared from eternity past. However, the uniqueness of this event was a man waiting to see the Christ child.

The man waiting is Simeon. His name comes from Hebrew “shema,” which means to “listen and obey;” or “Yahweh has heard” (Gen 29:33). Luke tells us a little more. Simeon was righteous and devout; Simeon looked forward to Israel’s consolation; and Simeon was filled with and guided by the Holy Spirit. Simeon had been waiting for comfort and pardon and the end of warfare with God. Now, seeing the God-infant, Jesus, he knew that his wait was over. He could die in peace, having seen the Christ and trusting that the promised salvation had arrived. But more than that, “Simeon (could) entrust himself to death, knowing that life and immortality (had) been brought to light through the gospel.”[1] With the arrival of Jesus, death would not be the end of the story for God’s people.

But just as certainly as Jesus’ arrival meant the coming of comfort for God’s people—and the realization that Christ’s arrival meant Simeon’s departure—Simeon also understood that Jesus’ arrival meant conflict—painful conflict, conflict in which there is no open, middle ground. This is a difficult truth to embrace. But Simeon understood one important thing: that Jesus came to divide as much as to save.

What Simeon understands is that Jesus was revealed to reveal. He reveals our hearts because when we encounter Jesus, he always draws out a response. We hear Simeon’s response in the form of a song in Luke 2:29-32: “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”

You see, what Simeon experienced is what we long to experience in our life: the presence and revelation of Jesus Christ. But, before we experience his presence and before we can reveal who Jesus is in our life, Luke invites us to embrace the name of Jesus. Luke tells us in the twenty-first verse, “When the eighth day came, it was time to circumcise the child, and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb” (Luke 2:21). What does the name Jesus mean? What does it do? What does it teach us? Why do we sing “There’s no sweeter name I know than Jesus”[2] and tell people “there’s something about the name”? What is it about the name Jesus that reveals who and what Jesus does? Today, let’s reveal the name of Jesus.

 

Movement One: What is in a Name?

Tony Evans, director of The Urban Alternate, a Christian Bible teaching and resource ministry, begins a blog post by sharing the following: “In the Bible, names matter. They have a meaning. Names are never mere nomenclature. People weren’t given names because they sounded nice, or because their parents were naming them after a celebrity, or because their mom suggested it…. Names carried weight and character and were often tied to a person’s destiny. That’s why, throughout Scripture, when God was about to do something new with a person, He would often change the name. [For example], Abram became Abraham. Jacob became Israel. Simon became Peter. Saul became Paul.”[3]

All through the Bible, we find God switching names around because He’s switching up identities or purposes tied to their kingdom roles. A person was given a new name designed to fit the reputation or character of their new path. Names held power tied to purpose. And the name of Jesus, of course, held—and still holds—the power above all power. Now our name is forever connected with His name. Names matter: they have a meaning, they tell a story, and they reveal a little bit about that person. What is the meaning of your name? Does your name reveal who you are as a person? (Feel free to use your phone to research the meaning of your name.)

The Bible contains more than 2,500 proper names and their meanings.[4] How many names from the Bible can you recall? As I shared a few moments ago, the names mentioned in the Bible have meaning: they represent something such as an event, what was happening during history at that particular time, and possibly what that person was going to do in their life. Names are important and significant in scripture but we often bypass names because they are tough to pronounce, confusing, have too many letters, and seem irrelevant at the time. In the grand scheme of things, however, names are very important and shouldn’t be ignored or glossed over. In scripture, we are told that Zechariah and Elizabeth will name their child John and this news came from an angel. Mary and Joseph are to name their child Jesus. The son of Naomi and Boaz is named by the women in the community; and his name is Obed. Obed is the father of Jesse, Jesse is the father of David, and David is the ancestor of Jesus. During Jesus’ ministry, in the Gospel of Mark, when casting out demons, Jesus takes time to ask the man, “What is your name?” and the man replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many” (Mark 5:9).

Let’s take this step further and remind ourselves of some famous names found in the Bible. Anna, the wife of Simeon and prophetess is a name derived from the name Hannah and means “grace.” Anna received grace when she saw Jesus being presented by Simeon in the Temple. Delilah, in Hebrew, means “delicate.” Delilah had to be delicate when convincing Samson to reveal the secret about his strength. Ruth means “compassionate friend” which is how she treats Naomi after the death of her husband. Esther is translated as “star” which is what she was for her people in a desperate time: a light of hope and a source of guidance. The name Mary, which comes from the Hebrew name Miriam, which was the name of Moses’ sister, means “beloved, bitter, and wished-for child.”

Continuing: Aaron, the brother of Moses and first high priest, means “high mountain” or “exalted.” Gabriel, a messenger of God, the one who appeared to Zechariah and Mary, means “God is my strength.” Isaac means “laugh” or “rejoice” which is what Abraham and Sarah did when they came to trust in God. Sarah even laughed when she found out she was pregnant (Genesis 18:12-15). David means “gift” in Hebrew. The name John is associated with “God is gracious.” The name Luke can be translated to mean “light-giving.” Matthew means “gift of God”; and Mark is often transcribed to mean “consecrated to the god of Mars or war.” The name for God in Hebrew is Yahweh; and it’s said that this name is ruach—the breath of life. When you speak Yahweh, you breathe in and exhale all in one name.

Now I did some research about what my own name means: Daniel Gregory Skelton. Daniel, a Hebrew name, means “God is my judge”—suggesting that God is the one who will approve or disapprove of my actions. The name Daniel is a reminder and warning. Now the name Gregory—of Greek and Latin origin—comes from the Latin name “Gregorius.” Gregory is often translated as “watchful or alert.” As a matter of fact, “gregorios” is the verb used by Jesus in Matthew 24:42 to warn his disciples to “stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” So I guess I better be on alert if God is my judge! Now Skelton is all on its own: it’s a combination of Old English words meaning “rock ledge shelf” and “resounding” in Old Norse. That’s all. Do you know what your name means?

You see a majority of the names in the Bible and even your own name reveals something about that person and yourself; even quite possibly indicating how you are to live your life. But yet, we sometimes overlook this fact because we want to see the grand picture rather than the individual strokes. Names are important, which is why, before we encounter Simeon we are reminded that the child presented in the Temple is named Jesus. But what does the name Jesus reveal to us? After all the name Jesus means “God saves”: rescuer, deliverer, savior.

 

Movement Two: The Name of Jesus…

In scripture there are several names that are attributed to Jesus. Jesus is called the Savior because he has come to save us and this salvation is there for us all the time. He is called Messiah because he has been anointed/set apart by God to do God’s work. He is mentioned as being the Son of God and whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Jesus is also identified as the Son of Man because he is here for all humanity—for you, for me, and for everyone else. He identifies himself as the Bread of Life—our source of spiritual food, the Light of the World guiding us through all moments of life, the Door that is always open—constantly inviting us to open our hearts to and receive him, the Good Shepherd caring for all those in his flock, the Resurrection and the Life—a means of breath and new beginnings, the True Vine by which nurtures our life and grounds us to the Word made flesh; and the Way, the Truth, and the Life guiding us to live a life reflective of his teachings and love (John 6-15). In the prophecy of Isaiah, we read that Jesus is identified as Everlasting, Counselor, Wonderful, Prince of Peace, and Majesty.

Jesus is known by several names because he does way more than we can imagine. Proverbs 18:10 tells us, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and are safe.” The name of Jesus is a source of comfort and security and protection and gives you strength to face tomorrow. In the Book of Revelation Jesus tells us that he is the “Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end” (Revelation 22:13). His name is above all names because his name was present before creation and will be there at the end of creation. His name was present when you breathed your first breath and it will be there when you exhale your last breath. In Luke 4:18, we read about what his name does: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed…” The name of Jesus is a source of good news, is humble enough to be cherished by the poor, releases those confined to chains and held captive, heals illnesses and ailments, assures us freedom, and removes power from the powerful and gives power to the powerless. The name of Jesus is more than just a name—more than a story—it is a source of life that has power. But did you know that there is more than one Jesus in the Bible?

When Jesus is put before the people prior to his crucifixion, we read from Matthew 27:16-17, “At that time they had a notorious prisoner called Jesus Barabbas. So after they had gathered, Pilate said to them, ‘Whom do you want me to release for you, Jesus Barabbas or Jesus who is called the Messiah?’” Although there are other “Jesuses” in the Bible, there is only one Savior. Salvation is found in no one else beyond Jesus, the crucified on our behalf (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). It is at the name of Jesus that trees clap their branches and mountains will bow in worship to their Creator, wind and waves will obey His word, storms are calmed, worry is no more, demons will be defeated, evil will end, and disease and death will become extinct. There is only one Jesus who fulfills the sacred name of God’s Son. It’s the Jesus that was born on Christmas day and lives within your heart.

Friends, there is power in the name of Jesus. (Amen.) There is power in the name of the one who can heal those with leprosy. There is power in the name of the one who can cast out demons. There is power in the name of the one who make the lame walk, the blind see, the deaf hear, the mute speak, and the dead rise again. There is power in the name of the one who travelled to hell and back for our sake. There is power in the one who will sit at the right hand of God in heaven. There is power in the one who was tried, crucified on a cross, lay in a tomb, and rose on the third day. There is power in the one who constantly invites us to experience salvation.

Friends, there is power in the one who performs miracles: who conquers cancer, who brings peace to a devastating moment, and who blesses us in times of terrible pain and worry. There is power in the name of the one who wipes away your tears. There is power in the name of the one who comforts you in time of sorrow, doubt, and suffering. There is power in the name of the one who brings cheerfulness to your heart. There is power in the name of the one who welcomes all the little children to sit with him. There is power in the name of the one who loves you unconditionally and offers you forgiveness. There is power in the name of Jesus.

And the best part of Jesus’ name is the realization that you can’t spell his name without the letters “u and s.” You can’t spell Jesus without “us”—you, me, and all creation. You are part of Jesus’ name just as much as he is part of your name. It’s no wonder Jesus tells his disciples, “Abide in me and I in you” (John 15:4). You are contained in the name of Jesus. Because you are part of his name, you are part of his ministry, of his salvation, of his life, and of his ways. We need the name of Jesus just as much as Jesus needs us to live out his name on earth. There is power in the name of Jesus! And that power is within you. How are you living out this power in your life?

 

Movement Three: Why Do You Need the Name of Jesus in Your Life?

I recently came across an excerpt from Lori Schumaker, an associate at Amazon. In her blogpost titled “How Jesus Saved Me and Showed me My True Worth and Hope,” she highlights the story of a person named Erica Dunomes. Dunomes shares her testimony of how Jesus saved her from a life of self-destruction, shame, and hopelessness. Jesus gave her a new name and a new destiny, transforming her life completely.[5] Dunomes wrote:

Life got better for me after Jesus came into it. I started spending time with Him, getting to know him through reading His Word. I would pray and ask Him to reveal Himself to me and help me to understand what I read. God proved himself. He proved Himself real, and he proved Himself faithful. In 2009, I met my husband. We married and became a blended family in 2010. 

In spite of the new changes, life in Christ did not get easier. Satan got busier. Many issues arose. Marriage and family issues. Financial issues. Health issues. Whatever the enemy could find to use, he used it with no slack. Yet, through all of it, God remained unchanging. Having been saved for almost twenty years now, I’ve come to realize that all those years ago, it wasn’t really about what I needed. It was all about Who I needed. I needed Jesus. I needed His truth and the gift of salvation that He offered me. How Jesus saved me was by covering me with His blood and by washing away all of my sins.

Did you catch what she said? She said, “…it wasn’t really about what I needed. It was all about who I needed. I needed Jesus.” Dunomes needed not only the presence of Jesus but everything that his name represents in her life: salvation, grace, forgiveness, understanding, hope, life, love, and transformation. Sometimes in life we spend so much time on thinking about and praying about what we need and not enough time thinking about and praying about who we need.

Church, who do you need right now in your life? Who are you seeking to guide you and comfort you and support you? When was the last time you prayed, with conviction in your heart, for the name of Jesus to empower you? When was the last time you simply said, “I need Jesus”? George O. Webster and Chas H. Gabriel wrote in the chorus of their hymn I Need Jesus, “I need Jesus, I need Jesus, I need Jesus every day; need him in the sunshine hour, need him when the storm clouds lower; every day along my ways, yes, I need Jesus.”[6] And Annie S. Hawks and Robert Lowy wrote in the chorus of their hymn I Need Thee Every Hour, “I need Thee; O, I need Thee; every hour I need Thee! O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee.”[7] Do you need Jesus in your life? Do you need Jesus every hour of every day as you travel along your way? He is constantly inviting you to receive him in your heart because he knows that you need him. Is your heart open to receive him?

When I was about the age of four or five, I sang a solo at my church. My blonde hair was parted, I had on a green checkered shirt, and khaki pants; and sang these words, “Into my heart, into my heart, come into my heart, Lord Jesus; Come in today, come in to stay. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.” Now, back then I didn’t understand what I was singing. Do you have Jesus in your heart? Is the name of Jesus part of your life?

I am under the impression that how you describe Jesus—the name you use for Jesus—is what you need Jesus to do in your life, and who you need Jesus to be in your life. If you say Jesus is a healer, then maybe you need healing. If you say Jesus is a comforter, then maybe you need some comfort. If you say Jesus is salvation, then what do you need to be saved from? If you say Jesus is peace, then maybe you need peace right now. Jesus is who Jesus is, but he is also who you need him to be as he lives within your heart. Who is Jesus to you right now, right here?

 

Conclusion:

In conclusion, I simply want to remind you that names matter: they have a meaning, they tell a story, and they reveal a little bit about that person. What is the meaning of your name? Does your name reveal who you are as a person? What does the name of Jesus offer you?

Approximately a month after arriving in Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph take their new born child to the Temple to be blessed and given to the Lord according to the laws of the day. Simeon receives him, blesses him, and reveals him to God and the people. This child is named Jesus. The name Jesus is not just a name: it is a story of redemptive hope, eternal salvation, and unconditional love. The name of Jesus has meaning and purpose and reason. The name of Jesus is why we are here today. The name of Jesus is life-changing, life-saving, and life-healing. The name of Jesus is powerful. And because of this name we have the wonderful opportunity to have a new name in glory once we ask him to come into our heart to stay.

Church, it’s time to reveal the name of Jesus. It’s time to share his name with those here and those outside these walls. It’s time to put “us” into his name and his name into us. It’s time to reveal the power of Jesus’ name. How will you reveal the name of Jesus in your life? How will we reveal the name of Jesus in what we do as a church? Do you need Jesus?  “When the eighth day came, it was time to circumcise the child, and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb” (Luke 2:21). Let it be so…

 

Closing Prayer:

Let us pray: Dear God, I humbly ask that you reveal the name of your son, Jesus, to us this year in ways that changes our life. May the name of Jesus always and forever be powerful and comforting, healing and strong, and understanding and forgiving. May we share the name of Jesus with this world so that they too can proclaim, “I need Jesus.” In your precious name we pray, Amen.

 

Did anybody look up what their name means?

 

Benediction:

This week, until we meet again, invite Jesus into your heart. Find ways to reveal his name. And take time to think about what the name of Jesus means to you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; and May the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26). In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit go forth seeking ways to reveal Jesus Christ in your life. And all God’s people said, Amen. Amen. Amen.

 

 

[1] https://www.gracefv.com/sermons/sermon/2013-12-29/luke-2:22-35—revealed-to-reveal

[2]“There’s No Sweeter Name I Know Than Jesus” sung by Selah.

[3] https://tonyevans.org/names-matter-there-is-power-in-the-name-of-jesus/

[4] The average person can only recall 150 names and faces in their life at one time without being prompted. Moreover, the average person can recognize about 5,000 people through facial recognition. How many names from the Bible can you recall? Is it more or less than a 150?

[5] https://lorischumaker.com/how-jesus-saved-me/

[6] George O. Webster and Chas H. Gabriel, “I Need Jesus” in The New Church Hymnal, Lexicon Music, INC: Newsbury Park, California, #49.

[7]Annie S. Hawks and Robert Lowery, “I Need Thee Every Hour” in The New Church Hymnal, Lexicon Music, INC: Newsbury Park, California, #174.


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