How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds?

Several years ago it suddenly struck me how very rare it is to hear adults say the name of Jesus or Jesus Christ in normal conversation, that is, of course, outside of Christian worship, Bible study or use in profanity. The more I think about this the more incredibly odd it seems, since Jesus is the central figure in the Christian faith. In Saint Louis, Missouri, we are much more likely to hear the name or invoke the name of Albert Pujols, our hometown baseball star.

I recall the Presidential debates leading up to the 2000 election in which the moderator asked each of the participants to share the name of the person they most admired. When George W. Bush’s turn came, he answered “Jesus Christ”. How odd this felt, even to me, I hate to say. In other faiths which have a central prophet-figure, adherents frequently recite the very words of their leader, be it Mohammed or Buddha. Perhaps most of us, Christians included, may not know Jesus Christ well enough to use His name in conversation. Or there may be other reasons.

It seems like we are more comfortable referring to “God” in conversation where “Jesus” may be perfectly suitable. Again how very odd this now seems to me. And, I should add, it is completely true with reference to me personally. I don’t think there is anything wrong with choosing “God” phrases instead of “Jesus” references. But I truly believe it is worth our individual search to find out why “Jesus” is somewhat foreign to our conversation. One reason may be our own fear of what others think.

C. S. Lewis tackled this issue under his critique of what is sometimes called “pantheism” (Miracles, Harper, 1947, p129, cf.)

We who defend Christianity find ourselves constantly opposed not to the irreligion of our hearers but by their real religion. Speak about beauty, truth and goodness, or about God who is simply the indwelling principle of these three, speak about great spiritual force pervading all things, a common mind of which we are all parts, a pool of generalized spirituality to which we can all flow, and you will command friendly interest. But the temperature drops as soon as you mention a God who has purposes and performs particular actions, who does one thing and not another, a concrete, choosing, commanding, prohibiting God with determinate character. People become embarrassed or angry. … This popular religion may be called Pantheism.

There is some security is leaving it go as general “God” talk. It can encompass a wide variety of faiths without insulting anyone or creating awkward moments. This is often true for me when I am conversing with anyone not in my very closest circles.

So why else is it easier to say “God” than “Jesus”? If we use Jesus’ name we attach ourselves to a real person, a person we also believe is God, who lived on earth at a particular time, said certain things over a period of three years sometimes to thousands at a time sometimes to just to a handful –words that were written down and shared with us in the Scriptures-- who intervened in nature (did miracles), who was executed and was bodily resurrected.

What about you? Do you feel you know Jesus? Here is a suggestion If you wish to know Him better so that you can say His name easily, with a kind of convincing familiarity. Take a few months or a year to read about Him. Start with the Gospels. Pick one. Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. Read one, end to end. I also recommend a book by Philip Yancey, The Jesus I Never Knew, (Zondervan, 1995). As the title suggests, Yancey shares his own Scriptural search for understanding who Jesus was, and is. Then read the Book of Acts in the New Testament. In Acts we observe how Jesus’ ministry revolutionized and infected His followers. They changed the world forever. Let’s get to know this Jesus and speak His name when we have the chance.

In Jesus Name,

Ken Bickel