Ash Wednesday--Names
The beginning of the good news
of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.[1] Mark 1:1
With these words Mark begins his account of the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, a story he believes will convince you, his reader, that Jesus is God’s son and source of human salvation. This for him, and thus for you, is good news. By retelling the stories preached by early followers, the writer of this gospel hopes to lead you to the truth, to the name of Jesus that reveals his true identity. Knowing such you then too can be one who participates in the good news
Mark begins by naming Jesus—he is the Christ, the Son of God. Later gospel writers began their accounts differently but for Mark what Jesus is called tells us who he is. Names are important for us too. They identify us; they connect us with others of the same name; they tell of our work or at least they did in the past; they put us in a place and time. Some would say they influence our very being, name our soul and spirit.
Think about your own name for a bit.
What names are you called? What is your “given” name? Does your name tell of your or your ancestors’ occupation, your ethnicity, your birth position, or some way to distinguish you from others in your family? How has your name effected who you are?
Mark invites us to listen, discern, and call Jesus by name for that is how we will know him.
The beginning of the good news
of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.[1] Mark 1:1
With these words Mark begins his account of the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, a story he believes will convince you, his reader, that Jesus is God’s son and source of human salvation. This for him, and thus for you, is good news. By retelling the stories preached by early followers, the writer of this gospel hopes to lead you to the truth, to the name of Jesus that reveals his true identity. Knowing such you then too can be one who participates in the good news
Mark begins by naming Jesus—he is the Christ, the Son of God. Later gospel writers began their accounts differently but for Mark what Jesus is called tells us who he is. Names are important for us too. They identify us; they connect us with others of the same name; they tell of our work or at least they did in the past; they put us in a place and time. Some would say they influence our very being, name our soul and spirit.
Think about your own name for a bit.
What names are you called? What is your “given” name? Does your name tell of your or your ancestors’ occupation, your ethnicity, your birth position, or some way to distinguish you from others in your family? How has your name effected who you are?
Mark invites us to listen, discern, and call Jesus by name for that is how we will know him.
Loving God, you call us by name. You know us for who we are. We ask your presence during this season of Lent. We are in need of your forgiving grace. We ask that you help us know Jesus by name. Amen.
[1] All quotations from New Revised Standard Version
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