93 Names

Hurricanes, tropical cyclones, or typhoons are large circular storms that begin over warm waters usually during July – September in the Northern Hemisphere and January – March in the Southern Hemisphere.  In 1953, the World Meteorological Organization began using a system of 6 lists to name hurricanes in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere to better define each storm system.    When a hurricane or cyclone causes intense damage, destruction, and death, that name is removed from the list.  Since 1954, 93 names have been stricken from this list.  These storms – mostly 3, 4, and 5 classifications, left many people without homes or loved ones and changed their lives forever.

There is another name that is synonymous with death.  Judas Iscariot.  Although we have not forgotten this name or stricken it from our vocabulary, you never see this name used in a positive light.  It is the name of a traitor.

Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.  And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.

                                                                Matthew 26:14-16

In that moment, the man who betrayed Jesus retired his name.  Of course, you see it occasionally.  At a basketball game recently, a student was holding a sign comparing the previous coach (the opposing team’s current coach) with Judas as a betrayer.  Harsh.  You leave, you betray, you lose the trust of others – you could be defined as a Judas.  And, don’t miss this.  I know lots of Matthews, Marks, Lukes, and Johns.  But no one named Judas.

But Jesus knew what Judas was going to do.

So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.  Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him.  Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly. 

John 13:26:27

This night started off with Jesus washing their feet, then the Passover meal, now a statement of betrayal.  Jesus knew his purpose.  He knew what Judas was going to do.  He knew what he was going to do.

For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.   

                                                                            John 6:38, 40

 Jesus fulfilled his purpose. And when we believe, He knows our name.

In Revelation 2, when Jesus addresses the church in Pergamum, he talks about names:

…Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith….

…To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it. 

Revelation 2:13, 17

Jesus knows my name and he will provide for me.  I need only to hold fast on His name and obey.  He makes me a conqueror.   I don’t understand the hidden manna, white stone and a new name, but one day I will.

My name is not retired.  It is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Is your name written in the Lamb’s Book?  Then you have a good name.  As we draw close to Easter, let us be thankful that Jesus paid it all.  What a beautiful name it is.  Jesus.