Moments of Inspiration

Meditations on the Master from
the Radio Ministry of Steve McLean

The Name above Every Name 

            “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even 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 Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:5-11).

            This marvelous passage tells us first of the condescension of Jesus and then of his exaltation. At the appropriate time God the Father exalted Jesus, and when he did he gave him the name that is above every name.  What is that name that is above every name?  Paul doesn’t leave us to guess about it, for in the same sentence he says, “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow . . . and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”  Obviously the name above every name is “Jesus.”  Let’s reflect on that name for a few minutes.

            First, consider that the name above every name is a comforting name. Acts 4:10 says, “It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before your healed.” There is healing and comfort in the name Jesus.  Whatever need for comfort you have can be met in the name of Jesus.

            As a hospital chaplain I have watched parents of suffering children find comfort and hope in the name of Jesus.  I have stood by the bed of many dying saints and seen peace come over them on hearing the name of Jesus spoken in prayer and the reading of Scripture.

            Charles Wesley wrote: “Jesus! The name that calms my fear, that bids my sorrows cease; ‘Tis music in the sinner’s ear; ‘Tis life and health and peace.”  Yes, the name of Jesus is a comforting name.

            May I also suggest to you that the name above every name is a powerful name. After a tour of duty on which the Lord sent them, “The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name’” (Luke 10:17).  Indeed there is power in the name of Jesus.

            At the name of Jesus, demons run for their lives.  At the name of Jesus prayers are answered.  At the name of Jesus angels respond to do his will.  At the name of Jesus winds and waves are calmed.  At the name of Jesus not only are sins forgiven but they are removed and remembered no more.  At the name of Jesus drunks have found sobriety and thieves have become trustworthy.  At the name of Jesus drug addicts, prostitutes, and murderers have become model citizens.  And at the name of Jesus one of these days graves all over the world are going to split wide open and the dead are going to live again.  By the power of the name of Jesus we who are still alive when that happens will be changed and reunited with our saved loved ones who have gone before us.  Then we will join with Paul in saying, “O death, where is your sting?  O grave, where is your victory?”  Why?  Because even death and the grave are subject to the name of Jesus!  It is no wonder that Edwin Perronet exclaimed, “All hail the power of Jesus’ name! Let angels prostrate fall! Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown him Lord of all.” Yes, the name above every name is a powerful name.  May the name of Jesus be praised!

            Next, consider the truth that the name above every name is a saving name.  The name “Jesus” tells us about the person and the work of the Savior.  His name means “Yahweh saves.”  He came for that purpose, to save us.  His mission was “to seek and save the lost.”

Hear these scriptures: “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).  “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).  “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

            There have been many great names in history: Moses, Joshua, Abraham, Joseph, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Isaiah, just to name a few from the Old Testament.  Other names like Napoleon, Homer, Plate, Socrates, Beethoven, Washington, Lincoln are associated with greatness.  Greatness, but not salvation.  There is no salvation in the name of Confucius, or Buddha, of Mohammed.  Only in the name of Jesus is there salvation from sin and hope for eternal life.  Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one [Do you hear that?] NO ONE comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).  Yes, the name of Jesus is THE saving name—the only name by which we may be saved.