“Help and Healing in His Name”
Acts 4:12

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Pastor Kevin Vogts
Trinity Lutheran Church
Paola, Kansas
Third Sunday of Easter—April 15, 2018

In the Name of Jesus, dear Christian friends:

What is in a name?  When Emperor Franz-Josef I of Austria died in 1916, his was the last of the elaborate imperial funerals.  Accompanied by the dirges of a military band, elegantly dressed dignitaries escorted the coffin, draped in black, to the immense iron door that led to the imperial family crypt.  Behind the door was the Archbishop of Vienna.  Following an ancient ceremony, the officer in charge cried out: “Open!”

“Who goes there?” responded the Archbishop from within.

“We bear the remains of his Imperial and Apostolic Majesty, Franz-Josef I, by the grace of God Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary, Defender of the Faith, Prince of Bohemia-Moravia, Grand Duke of Lombardy” . . . and on down the list of 37 titles.

The voice inside responded, “We know him not.  Who goes there?”

The officer spoke again, using an abbreviated list.  But again, “We know him not.  Who goes there?” 

This time, the officer said, “We bear the body of Franz-Josef, our brother, a sinner like us all.”  And then, the door was opened.

Peter has a word for you today about another name, the name that will open the door for YOU—the door to heaven: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

Today’s Reading from the Book of Acts records events on two successive days: on the first day Peter’s powerful miracle, followed on the second day by Peter’s powerful testimony.

In those early days of the Christian Church, immediately after Christ’s crucifixion, resurrection, and Ascension, and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Peter and John had gone to the temple to pray.  At the gate of the temple, a crippled man who couldn’t walk begged them for money.  They told him they had no money, but they WOULD give him what they DID have: The power of Jesus’ name!  “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,” Peter said, “rise up and walk!”  Immediately the man jumped up and started kicking his heels for joy and praising God for the blessing he had received from that precious name. 

That powerful miracle leads the next day to Peter’s powerful testimony before the rulers and elders, his testimony to the power of Christ’s name:  “It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. . .  Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”  Two thousand after these events, there is still for you and me the greatest blessing in that name!

Reader’s Digest [February, 1998] had an article about people whose names happen to reflect their chosen profession.  An orthopedic surgeon named Dr. Bone; an exterminator named Mr. Roach; an undertaker named Stiff; a financial planner named Buckless; a lawyer whose last name is Lawyer; and a used car salesman named Mr. Crook.

In our own Missouri Synod, there are currently two pastors who would like you to pronounced their last name “CHRISt,” but it is spelled the same as “Christ,” so that’s how people often pronounce it.  And there’s four Hispanic Missouri Synod pastors whose first name is pronounced “HEH-zeus,” but is of course spelled “Jesus.” “Pastor Christ” or “Pastor Jesus”—talk about having a name that reflects your profession!

You remember that before Jesus’ birth an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Like Dr. Bone or Pastor Christ, the name of Jesus reflects what he does.  For, the name Jesus literally means “The Lord saves.”  Jesus lived up to his name when he died on the cross to rescue us from our sins.  And he continues today to live up to his name—“The Lord saves.”

Paul says in Romans, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.”  Through the Word of God Jesus continues to live up to his name—“The Lord saves.”  For, through the Scriptures, he brings you to saving faith in him as your personal Savior.  As Paul says in 2 Timothy, “The Holy Scriptures are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

Peter says in Acts, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The promise is for you and your children . . .”  In Holy Baptism, Jesus continues to live up to his name—“The Lord saves.”  For, through this Sacrament he grants to you and your children forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.  As Paul says in Titus, “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”

Paul says in 1st Corinthians, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?  The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? . . .  For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”  Every time you come to the Lord’s Supper, Jesus continues to live up to his name—“The Lord saves.”  For, through this Sacrament he grants you forgiveness and strengthens you in the true faith unto life everlasting.  As Jesus said, “This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.”

Jesus says, “As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you. . .  If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven them.”  Each time you hear the Pastor announce, “I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Jesus is living up to his name—“The Lord saves.”  For, through this Holy Absolution he himself is speaking to you. As he promises in today’s Gospel Reading, “Repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in [my] name to all nations.”

Like the man healed by Peter in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, YOU receive “Help and Healing in His Name.”  His name actually opens the door for you—not to a crypt, but to eternal life in heaven.  As Peter says a few chapters later in Acts, “Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” 

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

Amen.