“Call His name Jesus,”- how enduring this name has been! When Pilate stood up that day and washed his cowardly hands he thought he was washing Jesus off the pages of history, but one hundred years from then nobody ever thought of Pilate except as he appeared in the presence of Jesus. His name lives on in spite of the Hitler’s, the Stalin’s, Khrushchev’s, Marx, and all the rest. And Jesus and His name will prevail against future figures in history who rail against God and His people. Yes, count on it, there will always be such figures in the history of man. The name of Jesus will last, they will not.
Do not be afraid. The name of Jesus, and the bride of Christ will last. The church is neither dead nor dying, for He is Lord and leader of it and He is alive. The only reason we fear is that we forget Jesus. “Do not be afraid” He has said. “I am alive forevermore and I have the keys of Hades and of death.” Also, He proclaims in Matthew, “I will build my church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
Does sin look very dark in the world today? – yes it does. For the tares have grown to maturity in the field. But has the name of Jesus reached into countries and cultures that had been closed to it in the past? – YES! – for the wheat is reaching maturity as well. That parable of the tares and the wheat is nearing harvest in our old world today, dear friend. Do not be afraid. Rest in the hope represented by the name of Jesus.
Think how gracious the name of Jesus is. It is the first name we teach our children while they are still in our arms. It is the name that weaves like a scarlet thread in all our prayers and praise. How divine is the name of the Babe announced by the heavenly host. So divine that upon that authority we sanctify the couple joined in marriage, dedicate the baby, and commit our dead to His care. All rites are given under the authority of that name.
Jesus is the one given and named by God Himself. Fold Him into your life and all the faith, courage, joy and authority of His name will fold into your life as well. It is the very first “Merry Christmas” ever conferred.
Father, in this Christmas season, help me to remember the Name above all names and the One that name represents. Time is short, circumstances might be fearful and distracting, but let me focus my heart and my hope in Jesus. Amen.
Blessings,
Cara & Patti
Classic Christianity