What is in a name some people ask? King Solomon wrote…A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. (Pr 22:1NIV). The writer is telling us that it’s not the birth name that is important as is the name one is “earning” by living and working. Your name doesn’t precede you as much as it follows. For example: The scriptures tell us that when the queen of Sheba heard about Solomon and she went to Jerusalem to test him with “hard questions”…and Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her. When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built…she was overwhelmed…and said to the king, "The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me (1Kings 10:1-6 NIV). Likewise the apostle John tells us that Judas…was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein (John 12:6). Now the disciples at the moment of this story (the anointing of Christ’s body) did not know of the treachery in Judas’s heart. They had no clue how devilish Judas had become. Even at the Last Supper they were clueless when Jesus revealed… the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table…And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing (Lu 22:21-23). Obviously it was AFTER Jesus’ betrayal and resurrection did people come out of the woodwork and tell of Judas’s ‘other’ name. No doubt we all know people who are similar to Judas; they have a birth name but they are better known by their other name—thief, liar, gossiper, backstabber, and so forth. Here are a few scriptural examples of good names: David—a man after God’s own heart (1Sa 13:14 & Ac 13:22)! Abraham—friend of God (James 2:23)! Israel (Jacob)—God prevails!
In the past few weeks some notable people have died: Farah Faucet, Walter Cronkite, and Michael Jackson. Farah achieved fame not as an actress on the TV show “Charlie’s Angels” or starring in numerous movies; but she will be remembered as the best known international ”pinup girl” of the 70s and all time! Additionally her hairstyle set an international trend, with women sporting a "Farrah Do" or "Farrah Hair." Walter Cronkite is best known as the anchor of the CBS Evening News from 1962-1981. He was affectionately known as “Uncle Walter” as he was televised into the living room of millions of homes every night on the CBS Evening News! In 1972, a poll named him the most trusted man in America! Other notable names are Hitler—forever associated with holocaust and mass murder: Stalin and Mao —revolutionaries and mass murderers: President Richard Nixon—“Watergate” and “crook”: Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher—“iron Lady”: M.L. King Jr. —champion of civil rights: Prime Minister David Ben-Guerin—father of modern Israel: and George Washington—the father of our country! One can easily see the value of a good name as Solomon wrote… A good name is better than precious ointment (Ec. 7:1a). I would rather be known (or remembered) for doing good than for doing bad.
Michael Jackson was a pop culture icon. Like many of you I first knew him as a member of The Jackson Five. He was a native Hoosier born in Gary, Indiana (1958). There is no doubt he was a gifted and talented entertainer. He will forever be remembered for his spectacular “moonwalk” and his blockbuster hit album “Thriller!” It is sad that the manner of his death  overshadowed his accomplishments. In time I suspect his name will become synonymous with Elvis; because they both came from humble origins: both shot to fame and fortune: both were adored by millions of people around the world: both died prematurely and under similar causes and circumstances. Mention Elvis in a conversation and undoubtedly somewhere in the conversation his sad premature death due to drug abuse will come up. Again in time Michael’s name will have the same connotation connected to it as does Elvis.
As Christians we need, as John Wesley preached, to do good and guard our name…Let not then your good be evil spoken of (Ro 14:16). In other words do not use your liberty as a Christian—living by Grace not by Law—to live careless or selfish thereby injuring others and damaging your name. We should, again as John Wesley said, do no harm with our works. Be mindful that we are working for a Godly reward as the apostle Paul reminds us…For the wages of sin is death…(Ro 6:23a). Peter speaking of Judas said…Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity…And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. (Acts 1:18-19).
Judas by betraying Christ was declaring that he did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah—and without faith no one is justified before God! The scriptures tell us that…the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he [Jesus] were, he should shew it, that they might take him (John 11:57). It seems reasonable to believe that Judas heard this news because after this proclamation was made…Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests…and said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him (Mat.26:14-16). Notice it was Judas who went to the priests; it was Judas who initiated the offer! The words of Jesus clearly apply here: For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul (Mt 16:26)?
Judas received a "wage" for his “work” of treachery; he literally purchased a graveyard (Mt 27:3-10), brought eternal damnation to his soul and a curse upon his family (Psalm 109:6-20), and his name is forever a synonym with treachery or traitor. Unbeknownst to Judas (and the other apostles) their names would be a part of the Holy City which is to come: And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb (Rev. 21:14). How sad that Judas forfeited honor and reward for thirty pieces of silver (Ac 1:20 & Psalm 69:26). A Christian’s reward for following Jesus is so precious that Jesus cautioned the church at Philadelphia…Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown (Rev 3:11). We know Christians do not “work” for salvation or to be approved of God because…the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Ro 6:23b). One has to be a believer to get a reward: Judas was not. Therefore he allowed someone to steal his crown (John 13:2).
Most bible students know the scripture is filled with examples of God changing a person’s name. For example Abram to Abraham (father of a multitude), and his wife Sarai to Sarah (noblewoman or princess’): Jacob to Israel (power with God): Simon (Peter) to Cephas (a stone). Christian friend the name that we are making for ourselves as Christians is so important that Jesus mentions it will be a part of us forever! "Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches. I’ll give the sacred manna to every conqueror; I’ll also give a clear, smooth stone inscribed with your new name, your secret new name (The Message Bible; Rev. 2:17). It seems to reason that the new name given to each of us by Christ will represent our earthly relationship with God.
Keep up the good work!
God’s Peace and Blessing, 
Comment on this article? click here © 2009 Curtis W. Bond All rights reserved
|
He hailed from a small city—Kerioth; situated in Judah fourteen miles south of Hebron and sixteen miles west of the Dead Sea. His family was of ordinary stock, no nobles or men or ‘renown’ in his family tree. Yet this obscure man from this little known city was chosen for a mission. If successful in his undertaking his name and work would be forever remembered and immortalized. Unfortunately he failed and fell by the wayside. Yet in his failure he did achieve fame and his name would forever be remembered as a synonym for traitor—Judas Iscariot. So abhorrent is the name Judas that most parents in America wouldn’t think of naming their child Judas.