In our new sermon series, we are looking at what it means for us to “carry or bear Gods name well” as followers of Jesus. If we “bear” the name of Jesus, then the way we carry that through our actions, attitudes and life choices will reflect to those around us something of who Jesus is. Just like school kids on an excursion wearing the school badge, their behaviour will reflect either positively or negatively on the school. The initial part of this series will focus on the life of Daniel, a young man who found himself in Babylon working for the nation that obliterated his people and city and temple. He was there because the people of God did not carry his name well, and their exile was part of his judgement after years of warning through the prophets.
Yet in this foreign land, working for the enemies of his people, Daniel carried himself and the name of God in a way that significantly impacted the kingdom, and the most powerful king of the then know world. Daniel carried God’s name faithfully, and with diligence in the way he worked and served, yet also through his refusal to act against the worship of his God, despite the threat of death and suffering. Similarly, for us today as followers of the way of Jesus, we are called to “bear his name” in a way that reflects his character and kingdom, even when we find ourselves in difficult work or cultural contexts that are not aligned to our faith and values.
Daniel didn’t rage or start a revolution, he simply got on with doing his job well with integrity and grace in a hostile environment, and that got noticed. His refusal to compromise only came into play when he was being forced to stop praying or worshiping the God whose name he bore with faithful dignity and love. Yet God worked powerfully through him, and his actions are a great model for us as followers of Jesus today in a culture that does not always align with our faith and values. Using words and imagery that relate to the story of Daniel, Peter tells his readers in the early church that bearing the name of Jesus may bring similar challenges in their context.
1Peter 4:12-16 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
We are called to bear the name of Jesus, and to rejoice that we have been called to carry his name well in the context in which we live today in 2026. We can draw strength from our deep stories and connection right back to Daniel, but also in the early church. God is faithful and he will be with us, as he was with Daniel, and Peter and all who have carried the name of God faithfully over the centuries. So be encouraged.
Grace and Peace - Garry