It was Bill Shakespeare who penned these words: "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." Tour guides in London tell folks seeing the places around Stratford on Avon that Mr. Shakespeare was saying much more than the sweetness of a rose aroma. Bill, they say, was taking a dig at the nearby Rose Theatre, which was a competitor to his Globe Theatre. The Rose was notorious for smelling like anything but a rose.
What's in a name? This scorching EIGHTH MONTH we are about to wish goodbye to is named for the Emperor, Augustus Caesar! Aren't you touched a bit by that? A far cry from the emperor of long ago is a second definition for august....."marked by majestic dignity or grandeur". A speaker stands and says something like this: "I am honored today and deeply moved to have the privilege of standing before this august body.....". So, what's in a name? Is an august body one found expired by the intense August heat, or is it a gathering of distinguished scholars or clergy?
My point.... if I have one this late August morning: At times names mean little or nothing. They are simply names. At other times they mean everything. I would rephrase Will by saying, "What's behind a name? That's what really counts.
I cringe when I hear the name of Jesus lightly tossed about by unthinking, irreverent people. It is a sign they do not know much if anything about this one who is the Son of God. Quickly, it comes to mind what the Apostle wrote in Philippians: "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the NAME that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and ON EARTH, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
What's in a name?
