This fall we have entered a series meditating on some of the Names of God found in the Bible. We’ve already looked at some of the Old Testament Names used by the prophets and writers of the scriptures. The inspiration for this series was a presentation to the Women’s Ministry of the Diocese of the Rio Grande by Mother Sylvia Miller-Mutia which she based on: Anglican Prayer Beads: God the Father by Jenny Lynn Estes and Carol Raines.
This week we move to the New Testament and look at
some of the Names for God used by Jesus. Because the New Testament was written
in Latin and Greek, these Names are mostly based on those languages.
The way Jesus addresses God is more intimate than the older
Names which emphasize the traits and the power of God—the Almighty, the One who
Sees, the Healer and Sanctifier. Jesus names God as Father and Forgiving. Jesus
reminds us that God is Lord of the Harvest and God of the Living. Jesus
emphasizes that God is One and the Only True God.
Each of these Names has the power to bring us closer to the
heart of the Holy. When we remember that God, like the father in the Parable of
the Prodigal Son is always forgiving and loving, we can find comfort and
security. In recognizing that God is in charge of the harvest, we can be
encouraged to remember that it is our job to sow and let God give the increase.
Jesus tells us the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers
are few. (Luke 10:2) We are called to be the workers, but like the man
who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up,
the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. (Mark 4:27) We
don’t know what the result of our work will be. As workers in the field, or
vineyard, of God’s Kingdom, we are simply called to show up and do the next
thing. When we do that, God multiplies the result. It’s not anything we do, or
don’t do. The letter to the Corinthians makes this clear. Paul says, I
planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither
he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
(1 Corinthians 3:6-7)
I invite you to prayerfully read through this list of
names slowly, breathing in the Greek words and breathing out the
English translation. If it is easier, just breathe the English translation
slowly. Do this several times letting your mind and heart be filled with the
meaning of the words, the reality of Who our God is.
Ho pater ho
ouranios-Heavenly Father
Adonai eloheinu-The Lord
our God
Adonai echad- The Lord is
One
Ho pater ho aphieis-
Forgiving Father
Ho theos ton zonton- God
of the Living
Ho kyrios tou therismou-
Lord of the Harvest
Ho monos alethinos theos-
Only True God
Abba- Father
What images come to mind? What feelings fill you? Is
there one Name that really impacts you?
If one of the Names causes your soul to leap, pause
and sit with that Name. Explore what God is saying to you.
Next week, we’ll conclude this series by considering
the Names the writers of the Epistles applied to God.
