December 1998 Issue

In studying Matthew 1:18-25 I have uncovered two themes which I find to be very interesting and relevant. The first one is that of "names," and the other is "dreams." Both themes play an important role in the text, and in our lives.

In the "pre-birth" narrative Jesus is given two names. The first is Jesus, and the other is Emmanuel. Both names tell us something about who this Messiah is, and in this season of Advent it tells us something about who to expect in the coming weeks. Names also play important roles in the world of art.

When searching for artistic examples of theological concepts, it is important to remember that the Scriptures are full of artistic illustrations! In the case of names, biblical literature, such as Psalms and the prophets, give great examples of the importance of names in the Hebrew culture. The poet/prophet of Second Isaiah, for instance, uses his artistic talents to express theologically who Yahweh is. The methodology that he employs is the prophetic convention of participles. Thus, Yahweh is not simply Yahweh, but "(the one) who created the heavens and stretched them out, (the one) who spread out the earth and what comes from it, (the one) who gives breath to the people upon it, and spirit to those who walk in it." (Is 42:5).

The author of our text also uses names in such an artistic and descriptive manner to talk about Christ. The narrative includes that the child is to be named Jesus because he will "save his people." The name Jesus itself translates into "savior." Thus, this child is described through his name as "the one who saves." He is also called Emmanuel, which we are given as meaning "God with us." The name of this child is one of our first clues as to the identity of who he is.

Names also play an important role in our lives. Many artists have "stage names" to get across an image of who they are to their audiences. Some examples in the pop music world are Sting, Prince (now called the artist formerly known as Prince), Bono and The Edge (the lead singer and guitarist for the rock band U2). Many actors and actresses also have stage names.

More and more women are beginning to struggle with what their name will be when they get married. I know my wife wrestled for months with the decision of keeping her own last name, dropping her name for mine, or keeping both last names. The decision, for her, seemed to stem from the idea of keeping her old "identity," while also gaining a new one of "the one who is married to Bill Buchanan." Not the least of the "name crises" in my marriage is the ongoing debate of what to name our future children. We all struggle with these issues because names are important to us. They say a lot about who we are, and where we come from.

Paul Osborne, a former professor at the Presbyterian School of Christian Education and the present Director of Christian Education at Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Ga., has written and directed a play called Just Before Daybreak. In the play a young teenage girl wrestles with the decision of whether or not to become a confirmed member of her Church. Part of her struggle is in deciding what "name" she will go by in the confirmation service. Adding to her dilemma is her father who is pressuring her to join the church, while also pushing her into the role of her late mother who is her namesake. The biblical text that parallels this intriguing plot is Jacob's crossing of the river Jabok. The young girl, like Jacob, wrestles with the angel throughout the dark night until a blessing comes; the blessing is in a new name.

The other theme that flows through Matthew 1:18-25 (and also the following chapters) is the concept of dreams. In the narrative, Joseph is told in a dream that he is to go ahead and marry his betrothed, and to name the son Jesus. Further ahead in the next chapters it is also dreams that tell him where to go, and when it is safe to come back. Speaking in a literary sense, it is the dreams (which we interpret as messages from God) that keep the plot moving, and guide the characters to their destiny.

A popular film that has similar themes of dreams and destiny is Field of Dreams starring Kevin Costner. In the story, a corn farmer hears a small but persistent voice that says, "If you build it, they will come." The man interprets the voice to mean build a baseball field. The voice asks him to do the unusual, the unheard of, and if he does it there will be a positive result. He does, in fact, build the ball field, and after doing so, they do come; Shoeless Joe Jackson and his teammates. The voice also tells him to do other things. He does them, and it leads him on a journey to find out more about himself and his destiny.

I believe that Joseph must have had a similar kind of experience. We can almost hear the angel voice saying, "If you go ahead with her, the savior will come." Joseph, like in Field of Dreams, is trusting in something beyond himself to guide him through social ridicule and pain. Joseph is putting his faith in God, hoping that God will guide him to his destiny.

Followers of Jesus Christ are called to do curious and unheard of things. Although we often want to resist, there is still that voice that catches us when we are vulnerable; when we are asleep. It says, "If you build it, they will come. If you go ahead and marry her, the Savior will come. If you follow me, I will guide you always.

Bill Buchanan