That Beautiful Name

One of the most intense decisions I think I've ever had a part in, was in the choosing of my childrens' names.  There was so much to consider, would the name fit them?  Do you include a name from your family genealogy?  Would it be a name that had significant sentimental value?  It took me two days just to pick a name for my budgie!  Names are important.  Names have the ability to instantly stir up emotions, either good or bad.  Sometimes, you might even wonder why a person has a name like they do;  have you ever been introduced to someone, and when you hear their name you think, "What in the world made their parents give them a name like that?" 

Names carry meaning.  If you're like me, I bet you looked at lots of baby name books that all carried the meaning of the names.  Sometimes a name is picked purely on the meaning it carries.  We know many of the meaning of names in the Bible.   Paul - little;  Timotheus - servant of God;  Aaron - mountain of strength;  Abigail - the father's joy;  Micah - poor, humble;  John - grace of the Lord.  However there is one name that I want to look at today, and that name is Jesus.

Most every child is given a name by his/her parents, but Mary was told by an angel not only that she was to have a baby boy, but she was also instructed as to what her baby's name would be.

Luke 1:31  "And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call His name JESUS.

The name Jesus means Savior, Deliverer.  There was no announcement in the Bethlehem Daily Newspaper!  No, Jesus had a Heavenly announcement, the angels were the first to announce His name to the world.

Luke 2:11  "For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord."

Why is the name of Jesus so special?  The name Jesus is precious to a believer because of all that it represents to them.  This name belongs to our Savior, Deliverer, Friend, Comforter, Protector, and Refuge, just to name a few.

Philippians 2:9 - 11  "Wherefore, God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name;  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

The name "Jesus", the name given by God to His precious Son, is so often disrespected and casually spoken of, used in vain and cursed these days.  This name carries all the power of Heaven, and its the foolish that curse this beautiful name.

Psalms 74:18b  "...the foolish people have blasphemed Thy name."

The name of Jesus is not some magic mantra that you say over and over for good luck;  but as we read in Philippians 2:9, it is a name that is above every other name.  The name of Jesus can soothe a worried mind, calm a troubled spirit, heal a broken heart, comfort the sorrowful, give strength to the fearful, cheer up the lonely,  brighten the day of the downcast, give hope to those who have lost hope, lift the burden of the weary, and guide the feet of the lost. 

There is a rest in every woe, there is a refuge from the foe;

There is a peace this world can't know:  It's in His name.

There is a glow in darkest night, a dawn of hope, a guiding light;

There is a help in helpless plight;  It's in His name, It's in His name.

His name is Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God;

His name is Jesus, and He's ever the same.

There is a calm when fear assails, There is a power all nature hails;

There is a love that never fails;  It's in His name, It's in His name

                                                            (Judy A. Simon)

This wonderful name should bring a rush of worship and praise from our hearts for all He has done for us, and all He means to us. 

Psalms 72:17 - 19  "His name shall endure for ever:  His name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in Him:  all nations shall call Him blessed.  Blessed be the LORD God, and the God is Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.  And blessed be His glorious name for ever:  and let the whole earth be filled with His glory;  Amen, and Amen."

Psalms 145:21  "My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD:  and let all flesh bless His holy name for ever and ever."

Jesus is the only name that men can call on for salvation.  

Acts 4:12  "Neither is there salvation in any other:  for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

Romans 10:13  "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

What are you doing with the precious name of Jesus?  Do you recklessly curse this wonderful name or do you treasure and praise it?  The true Saint of God will breathe the name of Jesus throughout their day.  It will be the first thing on their mind upon waking and the last thought at night.  It will be the first to come to mind in time of crisis.  His name will be the song of thanksgiving from their lips for the many blessings that come from His loving hand.  It will be the last name that slips from their lips as their eyes close and they leave this sinful world, their soul taking flight to their Heavenly home. 

Psalms 113:3  "From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised."

I know of a Name, A beautiful Name,

That angels brought down to earth;

They whispered it low, one night long ago,

To a maiden of lowly birth.

 

I know of a Name, A beautiful Name,

That unto a Babe was given;

The stars glittered bright, thu-out that glad night,

And angels praised God in Heav'n.

 

The One of that Name, my Savior became,

My Savior of Calvary;

My sins nailed Him there, my burdens He bare,

He suffered all this for me.

 

I love that blest Name, that wonderful Name,

Made higher than all in Heav'n;

'Twas whispered, I know, In my heart long ago,

To Jesus my life I've giv'n.

 

That beautiful Name, That beautiful Name

From sin has power to free us!

That beautiful Name, that wonderful Name,

That matchless Name is Jesus!

 

                                    Mabel Johnston Camp