Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Name Above All Names

Scripture teaches that one name stands above all others. It is the only name that must be revered,
proclaimed, preferred above all others and called upon for salvation. That name is Jesus.

Jesus’ name must be revered. In His teachings on prayer in Matthew 6 He told His disciples they
should begin prayer, ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” (Matthew 6: 9) Since God the Father and Jesus are equally God their names must be equally revered. Using the name of God or Jesus in or as cursing is disgusting but to revere (or hallow) those names means we speak those names soberly and reverently. We should never use either name lightly or irreverently in an effort to justify our plans or claim they are blessed.

The name of Jesus must be proclaimed. Peter and John were imprisoned (see Acts 4) because the priests and Sadducees were upset that those men proclaimed In Jesus the resurrection of the dead.

Peter had spoken healing in Jesus’ name to a crippled man who could not walk. Those religious leaders could not deny the miracle but they thought they could simply threaten Peter and John and they would stop proclaiming Jesus’ name. They replied, instead, “For we cannot help speaking about the things we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:20) They were convinced they must obey God rather than man and continued proclaiming Jesus’ name.

The name of Jesus must be preferred above all others. In Philippians 2:7, 8 Paul writes about Jesus taking on the form of a servant and becoming obedient to death on a cross. “Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father.” (v 9-11). Jesus is the only One to every knee must bow.

The name of Jesus must be called upon for salvation. Paul writes, “Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans l0:13) Some people try to argue (foolishly) that there is more than one way to salvation and to claim there is only one way is arrogant and wrong. But Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me.” (John l4:6) His words make it certain that He is the only way to salvation!

Jesus—Savior, Lord, name above all names!

Written By: David Oldfather

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