Jesus Gives Nicknames

Scripture — Mark 3:13-19 (NRSV)

Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. These are the twelve [Jesus] appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Devotion

Nicknames are a curious thing. Some of us have them or use them; some of us don’t. Sometimes the origins of nicknames are obvious. Many people call my son Nathan “Nate.” Not hard to figure out why. Other times, nicknames are not so obvious, and we wonder where they come from and what they mean.

In the last three or so years, I’ve been called “boss” several dozen times. And not by people for whom I am a literal boss. When people call me “boss,” it’s not because I’m bossing them around in some way. Often it comes when they thank me for helping them with something. “Thanks, boss,” they say to me. I’ve wondered why.

As I’ve reflected on this rather new nickname I’ve been given, it occurred to me that those who call me “boss” are always younger Latino men. So, I asked my trusty research assistant, Chat GPT, about this. Here’s what I learned: “When a younger Latino man calls someone ‘boss,’ it is usually a term of respect, friendliness, or deference, not necessarily a literal statement that the person is his supervisor.” Yes! That’s exactly what it feels like to me. Apparently, this use of “boss” in English is influenced by the Spanish word jefe (pronounced HEH-fay), which means “boss” or “chief.” Spanish-speaking young men will refer to someone as jefe as a way of showing respect. So, for the record, even though the use of “boss” reflects my older age, I’m nevertheless delighted to have it as a new nickname.

As we saw in yesterday’s Life for Leaders devotion, Jesus appointed twelve of his disciples to be members of his primary team. Like Jesus, they would preach the good news of the kingdom and drive out demons (3:14-15). Mostly they would “be with” Jesus, sharing life with him and learning in relationship with him.

Mark reports that Jesus gave nicknames to three of his apprentices. To Simon, “he gave the name Peter” (3:16). “Peter” is the English version of the Greek word petros, which means rock. In Aramaic, the language Jesus and his disciples spoke most often, Simon’s nickname would have been Cephas. In Matthew 16:18, we learn that Simon was the “rock” upon which Jesus would build his church. (Years ago, I did a whole sermon for Vacation Bible School as if I were Peter in the guise of Rocky Balboa. Indeed, Simon’s nickname in contemporary English could be “Rocky.”)

James and John received the nickname Boanerges (3:17). This is an English version (via Greek) of an Aramaic word meaning “sons of thunder.” Though we don’t know exactly why Jesus gave the two brothers this nickname, we can imagine that it had something to do with their explosive personalities. Later in Mark, we’ll see that James and John once said to Jesus, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask” (10:35). They were bold, brash, and said emphatically whatever came into their minds. They were also, along with Simon Peter, members of Jesus’s inner circle, those whom he invited to witness his transfiguration and to pray with him in Gethsemane. Apparently, Jesus didn’t mind having the “sons of thunder” among his closest friends and colleagues.

As I reflect on this story, I wonder what Jesus might choose as a nickname for me. Would it be serious? Or whimsical? What would Jesus see in me that he might capture in a name?

I know this might seem like a rather strange train of thought for a devotional. But, as I’ve reflected on my potential nickname from Jesus, I find myself remembering two important truths about him and my relationship with him. First, I’m reminded that Jesus knows me through and through. He knows everything about me, my strengths and weaknesses, my dreams and fears, my delights and yearnings. Nothing is hidden from him (Heb 4:13). This would be a scary thought, indeed, were it not for Jesus’s matchless love and abundant grace.

Second, I’m reminded that Jesus wants to be a friend with his followers, including you and me (John 15:13-15). Now, to be sure, Jesus is much more than just a friend. He is Lord and Savior, the unique Son of God, fully human and fully God. Yet, Jesus seeks friendship with us. Maybe Jesus is the kind of friend who invents nicknames for us. But, whether or not this is true, we who follow Jesus have the incredible privilege of knowing him as a friend, and this is a truth worth savoring.

Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the High Calling archive, hosted by the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: The Joy of Humor, the Humor of Joy.