What's in a Name?
Greetings, dear partner, in Jesus’ all-powerful name. This month, we bring you some stories on the suffering and deep joy of our brothers and sisters living on the beguiling isle of SRI LANKA. Sri Lanka was so renamed in 1972. Formerly known as “Ceylon” (and various other names), the term “Sri Lanka” means “Resplendent Isle.” Given what our associates and ground agents know to be today’s reality for the followers of Christ who live there, one might question the applicability of the word “resplendent,” other than to recognize the sheer physical beauty of this otherwise island paradise. In 2009, the government seized control of the domain after 25 years of domination by the Tamil Tiger rebels.
Overwhelmingly, Buddhism has reached a level of approximately 70 percent. The religious demography of the population of Sri Lanka also consists of an estimated 7 percent who are Hindu, 7.6 percent Muslim, and 8 percent Christian. Often thought to be pacifists by teaching and practice, some leaders of the Buddhist community of Sri Lanka have proven themselves to be particularly abusive to Christians. For many years, the government, encouraged by pressure (in particular from such leaders), has wrestled with still pending legislation, making it illegal to convert from Buddhism to Christianity. Though not unlike many nations now claiming to support the “inalienable human right” of “religious freedom,” Sri Lanka’s courts, and the populace at large, are severely targeting Christians who are facilitating “conversions from Buddhism to Christianity.” One might say, for the Sri Lankan people to be so fixated and defensive regarding the spread of Christianity, that such would be a clear indication of the large numbers of people (including those from all other faiths) who are recognizing Jesus for who He is, just as Peter once did, according to Matthew 16:15-17 (KJV).
“He saith unto them, ‘But whom say ye that I am?’ And Simon Peter answered and said, ‘Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered and said unto him, ‘Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven.’”
Peter wasn’t merely recalling a name that he had heard attributed to Jesus somewhere on the journey. He was prompted by the Holy Spirit and given a timeless revelation regarding who Jesus is, and his response was a clear declaration of Jesus’ deity and lordship over all. It is this kind of deep spiritual awakening that causes so many to resist the unjust laws of their land, shed all fears, and “convert” with conviction to the Christian faith.
We’re all given names at birth. Often those names reflect the hopes and prayers of the parent(s) for their children, as well as the family’s heritage. All too often those hopes can be dashed on the jagged shores of life’s cruel seas. But when each of us acknowledge Jesus and become “born again,” we are given a new name and a new family heritage…one that is indelible, impenetrable, unchangeable and eternal in Christ. It is through the power of that very name in which people are compelled to “convert” to the Christian faith, despite the oppressive laws of a land such as Sri Lanka. The power of that name is so great, it also intimidates those who remain in darkness.
During the night of Jesus’ capture in the Garden of Gethsemane, something incredible occurred which, interestingly, was not recorded in all of the Gospels other than the book of John. Let’s take a look at John 18:3-6 (KJV):
“Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon Him, went forth, and said unto them, ‘Whom seek ye?’ They answered Him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus saith unto them, ‘I am He.’ And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as He had said unto them, ‘I am He,’ they went backward, and fell to the ground.”
Imagine this scene. For one life-changing moment, Judas, and all those with him who would accuse Jesus of the very things that many of today’s “persecuted church” are being similarly accused (particularly those who lead others to a new faith in Christ), exposed just a tiny portion of the unspeakable power that is at His command, or at ours, simply by the utterance of His most beautiful name.
Were I recreating this scene on film, I would envisage a mob encircling Jesus, a shockwave rippling out from His personal epicentre, and everyone within the sound of His magnificent voice becoming momentarily lifeless and falling straight back to the ground but without any injury whatsoever.
Our prayer is that the children whose heritages have arisen from the families of Sri Lanka (or any other part of the world in which VOMC is actively engaged in God’s work) would come to know the truth, beauty and power of the name and person of Jesus Christ as their Lord. We pray that they would not only proudly take His name upon themselves but that they would also be eternally protected and safe in His keeping, according to the power of that name. As they do, may their beautiful “Resplendent Isle” truly become an increasingly resplendent place that is pleasing in His sight.
Be blessed in your continuing service to God as you reach out to those in peril for Jesus’ sake. Thank you for your prayerful support of The Voice of the Martyrs Canada.
- Doug
