These Are the Names...

The Book of Exodus with its great story of freedom and deliverance is one of my favorite books of the Bible. It’s a curious thing about the title. Exodus is the name English translations give it. This is actually a Greek phrase that means, “a way out,” from which we get our word, “exit.” In the Hebrew, the titles for the books in Scripture are taken from the first words of the book itself. Exodus is known as, “These Are The Names,” because the story begins, v1:

  “These are the names of the children of Israel coming into Egypt with Jacob, each with his own household: Rueben, Simeon, Levi, Judah…” (Genesis 1:1-2a)

Our freedom from sin, our crossing into a new life in Jesus Christ, is a way out. That thank God has been well marked by others who have gone before us – husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, children, friends…

On Sunday, October 30 we will celebrate All Saint’s Sunday. This is the church’s Memorial Day when we remember those who have died during the past year. We will celebrate the lives of – these are the names – brothers and sisters who in their lifetime crossed over into freedom and by the lives they led marked upon us at Princeton UMC a way out – the way out…through faith in Christ.

I want to encourage you for the rest of this month to remember those in your own life who have been the, these are the names that helped mark the faith way out for you. Beginning October 1st, there will be index cards in the Narthex for you to write down their names and keep the card in your Bible. Maybe you are reminded on someone right now whose name you want to write down…

Prayer: Everlasting God, we gave thanks and praise for the great cloud of witnesses who have passed on the faith to us and even now cheer us onward. May their example and courage be a guide and model for our lives that we too may mark upon our family and friends the way out through Jesus Christ. Amen.

In His Word,
Reverend Dee Dee

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