Give my greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who meet with them. Give my greetings to Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and to Olympas and all the believers who meet with them. Romans 16:14–15
My friend and colleague Raymond was especially excited this particular day when he came to work at City Centre Baptist in Mississauga. On his arrival, he wheeled into the office area one of our Sunday School’s portable TV and VCR units, then called all the staff to come see what he was so excited about. Once assembled, Raymond pulled out a VHS tape (*everyone under 25 may need to google “VHS”) and inserted it into the VCR. Instead of letting the tape play, Ray hit the fast-forward button, where the half dozen of us watched blurry images and lines zoom across the screen until he found the place he wanted us to see.
The scene was of an elegant party, crowded with glamorous people dressed in tuxedos and ballgowns, sipping champagne and nibbling on hors d’oeuvres, and all taking place on a luxury ocean liner. In the background we could hear the beating of drums, and for brief moments, glimpses of a Japanese drum ensemble. Ray, quick with the remote, frantically tried to pause the tape each time there was a screen shot of these taiko performers. When possible, Ray pointed out the images of friends who were lucky to make momentary appearances in the film. However, there was one particular frame he was most excited for us to see. There in the middle of a major motion picture was a nano-second screen shot containing the arm and shoulder of my friend — WOW! We all got to witness this momentous moment of Hollywood history! Just to prove he was part of this production, Ray fast-forwarded the tape to the final credits. After watching endless names scroll by, Ray paused the tape one more time, and we all saw it, reading it with our own eyes, “Japanese Drummer — Raymond Onami.” Proof, our friend, City Centre’s Junior High and Tech intern, apeared in a Hollywood movie.
The Movie, was the forgettable 1998 horror/thriller flick Deep Rising (Never heard of it — most haven’t). Where hijackers try to overtake a cruise ship, only to have a giant octopus-like sea monster attack the ship. Raymond and his local drum group, were hired and flown to Vancouver for a week to be part of this one brief movie scene. Even Raymond, although in the movie, let us know the movie wasn’t worth waisting two hours on. Nonetheless he still had pride in knowing his name was connected with a Hollywood Pictures’ production.
As a kid, every once in a while, I tried to be a good Christian and read my Bible, but in all honesty I usually found it pretty boring. The thing I found most aggravating was, “What’s up with all the names?” I secretly thought, “If this truly is God’s Word, why are there large portions of the Bible that are no more exciting to read than a telephone directory (*at least with the white pages you can pronounce the names)?”
I am sure we can all agree reading through a list of names is not the most invigorating activity. Yet, at the same time, there is nothing in this world we cherish more than names. Shakespeare famously pondered, “What’s in a name?” However, I don’t think it is so much the “what”, as much as it is the “who”. Names are meaningful, because each name represents a true flesh and blood person — a person who exists, or at least once existed; someone who walked this earth, under the same sun, moon and stars.
No, lists of names are not very exciting, and I am sure most of us do not remain in theatres to view the closing credits. At least we don’t, unless we know one of those names. In such cases, it really is something special to see your kid’s name on the honour roll, inscribed on the athletic trophy, or as one of the countless names in a movie’s credits. None of us that day cared about the movie Deep Rising, and the only reason I even remember the film today is because I care about a friend whose name found its way into the credits — and a name is worth far more than any movie.
Why are their so many names in the Bible? Because names represent real people, and there is nothing more precious to us than the people we love, and apparently there is nothing more precious to God than people as well— so much so, he sent and sacrificed his Son to prove it!
Finally, Scripture tells us, God’s most precious book of all, arguably even more important than the Bible, is his Book of Life, which is filled with nothing other than names. Hopefully it is also the one scroll of credits we all hope and pray to see our name and the names of our loved ones recorded in.
All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine. Revelation 3:5
