WHAT IS THY NAME ? (KJV)
Luke 7. 36 – 8 . 3
In African cultures names have special and particular power on people. Usually each of them bears a deep meaning which even can picture the history of a whole Tribe or a nation. Tribes and families are known by their names. Thus, in Kenya, you can easily recognize a Luo or a Kikuyu or a Massai simply by their names. This is also correct in Uganda and in Tanzania where we find many different tribes. Asalo or Atembo sound automatically as Ebembe tribe’s names from the D.R Congo while Kadima or Kashale or Kabangu are names from the Kasaï Tribe in the same D.R Congo, etc, etc.
When I entered high school in 1968, I asked my parents why they named me BARANSANANIKIYE. My mother told me that the reason was because I was born at a time when my parents were horribly hated by our neighbours. In the Burundian culture it is said “Izina ni ryo muntu”(Which means that everything that happens to somebody in his life is the consequence of his name since names have a certain power in our lives). This seemed to be true about me at school since I was hated by some teachers and even students without any clear reason. Even when I did something good, they always had negative critics issued against me. My daughter Fidélité was born after my wife Virginia had gone with a cesarienne. We saw this as a miracle from God and we named her BIGIRIMANA (which means only God has made it possible).
WHAT IS THY NAME , Jesus asked to the demon-possessed ? By asking that question, Jesus wanted to know exactly which kind of demon He was dealing with because the possessed-one had many symptoms showing he was possessed by multiple demons. Jesus didn’t want to command only ONE or TWO or THREE of these demons to go out of the man. No! He wanted to command all of them to leave. Salvation is a complete process that sets man free.
All Kingdoms in ancient Africa and certainly in other parts of the world were built on such demonic powers. It is said that every king had private witch doctors and before he launched an attack, he first checked with them to know exactly the name of their gods and ghosts. Thus, a former story reports that a certain king planed an attack against his neighbour who had defeated him at many battles in the past. A wise man from his advisers told him the following: “Majesty, I have been checking to know why you have always lost your battles against your neighbours. The reason is because you have never known under which ghosts they were empowered. But now, listen, Majesty. The witch doctor I went to told me that if you want to defeat the king you plan to attack, please, simply go first on that mountain and offer a sacrifice to him while pronouncing seven times the names of his gods. And when you’ll launch the attack, tell your soldiers to herald his ghosts’ name casting them out of their way.”
The king did so and the soldiers were instructed as to what they would say. Unfortunately most of his soldiers who knew they would lose the battle as always, drank a lot of alcohol thinking that this would help them to die without suffering. So, when they launched the attack, a few soldiers were able to herald correctly the ghost’s name while the majority under alcohol pressure couldn’t remember what to say and simply cried out with strange words. So, something strange happened at the battle field: The two groups of soldiers started fighting one against the other and many soldiers were killed by their own friends. Finally the remnant of the two groups turned back to their king and killed him as well.
But a wonderful blessing story was recorded the 19th century, when American hymn writer W.C Martin after having tasted how sweet Jesus’ Name was through many trials, wrote the poem “THE NAME OF JESUS” saying:
1.The Name of Jesus is so sweet, I love its music to repeat;
It makes my joys full and complete, The precious Name of Jesus
R:“Jesus”, oh, how sweet the Name ! “Jesus” every day the same;
“Jesus” let all saints proclaim, Its worthy praise for ever.
2. I love the Name of Him whose heart Knows all my griefs and bears apart;
Who bids all anxious fears depart, I love the name of Jesus !
PRAYER: O, Lord Jesus, teach to really love Your Holy Name. Amen!
In Christ’s love
Contact us:
EPISCOPAL FREE CHURCH-PROVINCE OF BURUNDI
Bishop Dr. Justin Baransananikiye
President
P.O. Box 197 Gitega (Burundi)
Tel: (+257)79 877 097
Email: baransajust@gmail.com
SKYPE: Justin Baransananikiye
Website: http://iprayforyou.worthyofpraise.org