Our devotion is written by JAMES GRAY who serves the United Church Hermanus.
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Some of them went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord's hand was upon them and great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. . . . . And it was at Antioch where the disciples were first called Christians. Acts11:19-26
We probably don't need any reminding that Jesus was not a 'Christian'. The name hadn't been invented in Jesus' day. That only happened some time after He returned to heaven and, even then, it was probably a nickname applied by non-believers in Antioch to this group of people who claimed allegiance to Jesus the Nazarene, much like the old days in Cape Town when we spoke of Moslems as 'Mohammedans.'
It has been suggested that the name 'Christian' means 'little Christs'. That may or may not be correct, but what we can say is that, at its simplest, 'Christian' means 'a follower of Christ'. It suggests we are living according to His example. It says that because Christ dwells in me I try to live my life differently. I won't go with the herd. On the contrary, I hear His voice and command, and the challenge cannot be clearer: 'Follow me!'
In some countries where Christians are under pressure many prefer simply to be known as 'followers of Jesus'.
So let me ask you: Are you a Christian, a follower of Christ? Is Jesus' transforming presence beginning to bear fruit in your life, or have we slipped into a part-time believer's mode, so-called 'followers of Jesus' who sometimes find it an inconvenient label?
'Christian' -- ity began in Antioch. Non-believers observed the followers of Jesus. 'The grace of God was upon them', says Luke. They took Jesus seriously and as a consequence were dubbed 'Christians'. The name stuck.
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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
