Text: Isaiah 45.4
For the sake of Jacob My servant,
And Israel My chosen one,
I have also called you by your name;
I have given you a title of honor
Though you have not known Me.
What’s in a Name?
A name is an important thing. Surely some names are more important than others, but
names are, by their very nature, important. A name identifies a thing, so that we may
know what or of whom we are speaking. Names describe things, telling us something
about the thing or person. Names distinguish people and things, pointing out that they
are different from other, often similar things.
Sometimes we get carried away over a name. There is currently a legal matter before
the European court regarding the name doner, or more specifically doner kebap. Now
in case you have never encountered a doner kebap let me tell you that you are missing
something. Doner kebaps are the pita sandwiches sold throughout Germany and other
European countries. They are delicious. Meat grilled on a vertical rotisserie served in a
pita wrap with greens and a tangy garlic yogurt sauce. Sometimes peppers are
included. Sometimes the meat is chicken, sometimes it is lamb, and sometimes it is
beef. Sometimes the meat is wrapped in the pita, and sometimes it is stuffed inside the
pocket of a pita. Sometimes humus is substituted for the yogurt sauce.
Therein lies the legal matter. Kebap or kebab is a Turkish dish. Turkish immigrants
brought the kebap to Germany. And the Germans, especially Berliners, went crazy over
the delicious, convenient treat. There are more than one thousand kebap stands in
Berlin. Travel author Per Meurling writes, “The Döner is not only the single most
popular street food in all of Berlin, it’s also an integral part of Berlin’s cultural D.N.A.”
Meurling estimates the total number of kepab stands at over 1,500.
But the kebap served on the streets of Berlin is quite a bit different from what is
served in the kebap’s native Turkey. There the meat is traditionally served on a plate,
with the sauce on the side and no greens or other vegetables. Let me assure you that
the original version is really delicious.
The Turkish government has gone to court to stop the Germans from using the name
“Kebap” (or “kebab” depending on the source) for something that isn’t really kabop. One
has to give them their due. The dish is Turkish. It’s theirs. They know.
Of course the Greeks have their thoughts on the subject. The ubiquitous gyro, grilled
on a vertical spit, served in a warm pita with tzatziki, red onions, and tomatoes is as much a part of Athen’s culture as the kebap is to Berlin. Probably more so. The gyro
however will often be made with pork so it’s pretty much limited to Greece in the eastern Mediterranean.
And then there’s shawarma. There’s even a variant called tacos al pastor served in
Mexico.
The point is that they are all really good, really tasty, and wonderfully unique. Hence the
uniqueness of their names.
But is the name worth going to court over? I leave that to the courts to decide.
I do know that there is one Name, and only one Name that ultimately matters. It
identifies the One who matters most. It identifies the One Who is absolutely unique,
Who cannot be imitated, and Who alone is absolutely perfect. This is the Name worth
contending for, which believers have contended for and do so to this day. It is the Name
which will stand when all other names have passed.
Blessed be the Name of Jesus.
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