What's in a Name?

The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. (Acts 11:22-26 ESV).

 

I am beginning with a bit of trivia today. You will probably not recognize the individual in the picture today. The picture itself was made in 1957. The man in the “space suit” is Fred Morrison. He is probably not readily recognizable to you. He was a World War II pilot and a prisoner of war. He survived, living to be 90, dying in 2010. During his years after the war, he spent his time inventing toys like the battery-operated toy tomahawk and a water-filled bowling set. Still don’t remember him? How about if I tell you he invented the Whirl-O-Way and Pluto Platter? Does that jog your memory a bit? In truth, Morrison's inventions never went too far, that is, until he licensed his greatest idea to the Wham-O Manufacturing Company in 1957. The company took his invention, borrowed a name from an East-coast pie company, and christened Morrison's invention by a new name: Frisbee.

Although Morrison thought the name change was stupid, the change made a big difference. The flying bit of plastic known as the Frisbee caught on. Nearly 300 million Frisbees have been sold since their introduction over 60 years ago, for both organized sports and recreational play. According to Mattel, 90% of Americans have played with this flying toy at one time or another, translating to 15 million people enjoying the sport every year. Truly, there are times when what you call something can make a difference. That, however, is not always the case. For example, our reading today says, "in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians." Before that time believers had been known as members of "The Way."

 

That's really not a bad name since Jesus said He was the Way, and we know there is only one Way to heaven. But those who have been to Bethlehem's manger, who have stood in sorrow and repentance at Calvary's cross, who have looked in awe and wonder into Jesus' empty tomb, know it is not the name we carry which is important. It is not our name that has made Christianity the biggest human organization the world has ever seen. Every believer must acknowledge it is the Savior's work which is all important. His life, His sacrifice, His death and His resurrection offer forgiveness to all who believe. No, it's not our name which is significant. It is the Savior who is the beginning and end of our salvation. Jesus is the Name which saves. Celebrate Him!