The Name of Jesus
Do you know any other name with more importance in all history than the name of Jesus? There are men who did incredibly wonderful and evil things, but their names don’t have the weight or importance of Jesus. The One True God, who created the heavens and earth, “has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name.” (Philippians 2:9) Jesus has been made important and known to all. This was planned. But why? Because “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) We all have sinned and we can’t save ourselves from it. Death is the penalty for sin. One powerful name has defeated death. No other name is worthy. Only the name of Jesus.
Worldwide oppression of Christians has currently reached historic levels. It seems hard to believe that human hatred for Christians has continued on for almost 2,000 years now. Are Christians really that horrible? True followers, not those just taking up the name Christian, but actually following Jesus are taught to love their enemies as well as be at peace with people. Yet they are the ones being persecuted. But why? Jesus told us when he said, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18) When Jesus was born, King Herod “killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under.” (Matthew 2:16-18) To get to Jesus, pure evil was done to all those families. Yes, Jesus has been hated since birth. However, it’s not flesh that is the real contender, it’s actually spiritual. There is an evil one at work in all those who want to destroy Jesus and His followers. He knows full well God’s power and purpose. Yes, Satan knows the name of Jesus.
Jesus is our savior. Yes, but he must be more to us. He must become our Lord. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13) His great sacrifice and gift to us requires our devotion to Him. He is Lord. He is King. The only one we follow. We don’t turn, despite persecution. We live for Him. He is mighty and worthy; His name is Jesus.