What's In A Name? Disappointment, mostly.

In it’s original Hebrew, the name Matthew means “gift from God”. Seems a little presumptuous of the creator doesn’t it? He must have parted the clouds at some point and spoke to his people, “Behold my children! I bring you a gift!”

Everyone probably got all excited and stopped what they were doing, whispering amongst themselves, “Cool, wonder what it is this time? Rule-bearing tablets? Divine knowledge? Myrrh?”

God, clearing his throat dramatically, continued: “I, your benevolent and all-knowing Father, bring you…this guy named Matt!”

Hezekiah, lead Shepard of the village, was probably like, “Um…okay. You part the clouds and reveal to us your shining and glorious countenance…all to introduce another guy named Matt?”

“What”, God asked, sort of pouting, “you don’t like it?”

“Oh, no, it’s great. Really. It’s just that, you know, there’s already like a million Matts running around this place. We just thought you were gonna unveil some big doctrinal change or something.”

“Look, I can it exchange if you want. How about a nice Malachi, or a Rob?”

“No, we’re thrilled with Matt, it’s great. We were just caught off guard, that’s all. Seriously, thank you so much.”

What they didn’t know is that God himself had received Matthew a few months back on his birthday and he was just trying to get rid of him, free up a little closet space. This is why I’m inclined to believe in reincarnation…I think it’s God’s way of re-gifting humanity.

Thanks.