WHAT’S IN A NAME? (JOHN 20:1-10

REFLECTION The theme for our reflection is “What’s in a name?” The question, “What’s in a name?” refers to the idea that a name is merely a label and doesn’t inherently change the nature of the thing it represents. We shall reflect on the fact that there were people who were not named in Scripture,…

Jean-Paul Agidi

Sep 6, 2025

2–3 minutes

REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “What’s in a name?” The question, “What’s in a name?” refers to the idea that a name is merely a label and doesn’t inherently change the nature of the thing it represents. We shall reflect on the fact that there were people who were not named in Scripture, yet their relationship with Jesus was profound and worthy of emulation.

Beloved in the Lord, after Mary Magdalene discovered the empty tomb where Jesus was buried, we are told “…she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” (John 20:2) The other disciple was not named but what is important for our consideration is his relationship with Jesus.. He was loved by Jesus, and it was clear that he also loved Jesus; hence, we are told, “Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first…Finally, the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (John 20:4,8). Beloved in the Lord, whether you are in the category of those who are named or unnamed in the historical account of your church or community, the most important consideration is not in the name of a person but his or her relationship with Jesus. Can you also be described as the one Jesus loves? Would you yearn to see the risen Lord with passion and faith? Jesus already knew our names and first loved us. This fact may not be accurately captured by historical accounts since history largely focuses on the main actors, hence we read of Simon Peter and Mary Magdalene. Irrespective of the fact that your name is mentioned, your greatest joy is that you are also a disciple whom Jesus loves. If you have experienced the love of Jesus, then continue to offer your time, energy and life as a living sacrifice to tell others about Jesus and what He has done for you. We are to endeavour to run as fast as the disciple that Jesus loved, not to see and believe but to spread the Good News we have believed. This is how we demonstrate or reciprocate the love Jesus has shown us.

In summary, we have discovered that our most important identity is not our names but the relationship we have with Jesus; hence, it is irrelevant whether we are mentioned or not in the historical account of our church or society. Indeed, it is our human inclination to yearn for our names to be mentioned, but the most important identity or consideration is that Jesus loves us and we are saved through Him.

PRAYER

May the Holy Spirit strengthen us to live according to the will of God, believing that we are greatly loved by Jesus and may our love for Him keep us zealous until the day of our departure from this world. Amen.