43: You Call His Name Jesus
This coming weekend, our family will be traveling to Pittsburgh to meet many of Mom’s friends and conduct a memorial service at the church she faithfully attended since she was 11 (pray for the gospel to be spoken clearly and be received by soft hearts). As many of you know, Mom passed from this life to the next on July 11 and within a few days I spoke at a similar service in Florida where she had been living. Much of the time I was in Mom’s home talking with neighbors, family members, and hospice workers, I was aware of how difficult it was to magnify the name of Jesus.
Perhaps it was because I was in “Heaven’s Waiting Room” as Florida is fondly called, and death is all too familiar. Well meaning individuals speak of “being in a better place”, or a “higher power”, but I rarely heard Jesus’ name mentioned. Maybe it is a desire to not be contentious or make waves, especially when others are grieving. Or is it the spirit of the age in which we live, when we are compelled to be “tolerant” and “accepting” of any and all beliefs and belief systems regardless of how biblical they are. Absolute truth is frowned upon as is a specific name for God.
I don’t know for sure, but as I prepared for the service, I felt a struggle in my spirit to speak of Jesus the Christ, by name. I know that without Jesus, we have no hope. I know that He alone is the way to God. And I am grateful for His presence when I grieve and sorrow. When we lose a loved one, we struggle with where they will spend eternity. And we grieve at their loss.
We need comfort and hope, and Jesus is the only one who can come along side and encourage our faith and assuage our tears. He is the man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. He wept at the tomb of Lazarus with Mary and Martha, and he weeps today with us. He is the only one who can successfully bear our burden and carry our grief.
Jesus is the certain way to heaven. He alone rose from the dead. Without His bodily resurrection, we have no assurance of life after the grave. As the Spirit, through Paul writes; If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain, 1 Corinthians 15:14. Jesus gives real substantial hope for eternity. He died, rose again, and lives today.
And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12. His name means something. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, Matthew 1:21 . Let’s clear the air in our minds, hearts, and spirits. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. John 14:6
Even Christians often find it difficult to articulate His name. We refer to our savior as “The Lord” or “The Son”, both of which are true, but lack the uniqueness and power of “Jesus”.
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so 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 Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11
I am thankful that I know Jesus. I am grateful that I can say His name. I am happy that He loves me and I love Him. Jesus. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! Psalms 34:3
Steve
Upcoming Family Camps
Miracle Mountain Ranch, August 29-September 2
Remember this ministry and their staff as they just lost 3 barns to fire.
http://mmrm.org/retreats-and-events/family-camp/
Homeschool Family Camp, September 3-6, Spruce Lake Retreat
Please pray for this venture as I will be directing and speaking at this event.
http://sprucelake.org/retreats/attendour-event/calendar-of-events/homeschool-family-week/