"Tell me why you call him Jesus and I'll
tell you why I call him Yeshua," is the gist of how our conversation
went. I was intrigued to say the least.
We were in the kitchen, cleaning up after a successful and fun Passover Seder amongst friends. I've always enjoyed sharing Passover with my friends regardless of their faith or heritage. It's my favorite holiday and it's meant to be shared;)
"Yeshua is a character in my book." I looked up from the sink to see if I heard her correctly. "Really!?" I asked, honestly shocked. She nodded with delight. "That's awesome. I like that you called him Yeshua instead of Jesus, but why did you do that?" I don't mean to belabor my surprise but come on... it's not every day that a Jew hears her southern belle agnostic friend refer to Yeshua. Don't all Americans say Jesus? Don't all English speakers say Jesus?
She smirked, "Write me a paragraph why you like that I called him Yeshua and I'll write you a paragraph explaining why."
Authors!
Although she hasn't been subtle in her hints or nudges that I should write more. Well, I guess I haven't had a ton of motivation lately...until now.
What's in a name? Oh my word, so much!! Where to begin?
First, and probably most obvious, identity is in a name. It's how the world identifies you; like an address of your soul. For centuries a name was preceded with a "son of" or "daughter of" title. Now we know that information by ones last name. Names associate us with our families and identify our position in that family. Before God told his people his name he went by the God of Israel or the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
We were in the kitchen, cleaning up after a successful and fun Passover Seder amongst friends. I've always enjoyed sharing Passover with my friends regardless of their faith or heritage. It's my favorite holiday and it's meant to be shared;)
"Yeshua is a character in my book." I looked up from the sink to see if I heard her correctly. "Really!?" I asked, honestly shocked. She nodded with delight. "That's awesome. I like that you called him Yeshua instead of Jesus, but why did you do that?" I don't mean to belabor my surprise but come on... it's not every day that a Jew hears her southern belle agnostic friend refer to Yeshua. Don't all Americans say Jesus? Don't all English speakers say Jesus?
She smirked, "Write me a paragraph why you like that I called him Yeshua and I'll write you a paragraph explaining why."
Authors!
Although she hasn't been subtle in her hints or nudges that I should write more. Well, I guess I haven't had a ton of motivation lately...until now.
What's in a name? Oh my word, so much!! Where to begin?
First, and probably most obvious, identity is in a name. It's how the world identifies you; like an address of your soul. For centuries a name was preceded with a "son of" or "daughter of" title. Now we know that information by ones last name. Names associate us with our families and identify our position in that family. Before God told his people his name he went by the God of Israel or the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Second, I believe that intimacy is carried inside a name. What you call someone communicates to them and the surrounding world who they are to you...for better or worse. If I know your name and use your name to address you it means I know you. If I add a Mr. or Mrs. in front, it shows honor but it also communicates distance. What about the person who gave you your name? In MOST cases the name given is one out of love and tenderness...I'll leave that alone. It's a delight for a parent to speak or hear their child's name and it's a delight for the child to here their own name too. Intimacy is in a name.
Information is in a name. Name's mean something...Even Moses...which for the life of me I hurt for the kids today named Moshe...give the Jew a fighting chance! Now, I have a pretty sweet name. It means "Mighty with a Spear"...thank you mom and dad. I honestly doubt, in fact I know this was not in their minds when they named me. I was named after my Grandfather to carry on his legacy. But I believe words hold more power when they are not only used but understood. Here me out...the revelation of my name becomes an open door inviting me to become what I'm called;)
Identity, Intimacy and Information reside in names. Portals of promise do too! But that could be it's own blog entirely. History and legacy go hand in hand. Yeshua is the Hebrew name for the son of God. It means "The Lord is Salvation." The English spelling of Yeshua is “Joshua.” When translated from Hebrew into Greek, Yeshua becomes Iēsous. The English spelling for Iēsous is “Jesus.” This basically means that Joshua and Jesus are the same name. One is translated from Hebrew into English, the other from Greek into English.
I enjoy learning about people. I enjoy the meaning of people's names. I enjoy celebrating people and I enjoy deep connection. This is especially enjoyable with Yeshua. I didn't usually use his Hebrew name until more recently; and not because I started speaking fluent Hebrew on a daily basis. Although I will admit my Hebrew is increasing!! Aside from the fact that English probably didn't exist when he was born, and his mom definitely didn't give him a Greek name either; using his birth name seemed fitting to me. He is a Jew after all and not all Jews... but some Jews at least...have Hebrew names. Though, I am not one of those Jews:o
Ever meet a foreign person who everyone calls Tammy or Danny? I wonder if they'd rather go by their real name (if people could pronounce it right) or if they genuinely don't mind their 'American' name. Sometimes they themselves tell you to call them by their easier to say and spell name. I've personally never been told by God which name to call his son... But I feel closer to him when I use his birth name, Yeshua. To me he's still the God of Israel.
This is more than a paragraph so I hope I'll get more of a paragraph out of my friend...If she doesn't make me wait til she's published first, that is! :o
