Thou Shalt Call His Name Jesus
We do not know what day, month or exactly what year Jesus was
born. The date of His birth does not matter. What matters is that Jesus was
born! In Matthew
The Bible teaches us that the name of Jesus is important. Peter
said, "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under
heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts
Encouragement through the name of Jesus. Think of the joy,
confidence, peace, happiness and comfort that come through the name of Jesus.
"Jesus" is a name that gives us encouragement. "Jesus" is a
name that gives us support. "Jesus" is the name, the only name in the
entire world that is a saving name. "Blessed is the man that trusteth in
the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the
waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when
heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year
of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7-8)
Protection through the name of Jesus. In the beautiful prayer Jesus prayed, which in recorded in John 17, we learn that the beautiful name of Jesus brings protection. Jesus prayed for His apostles saying, "Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are." (John 17:11) Jesus prayed, protect them, take care of them, and preserve them. Jesus prayed that those who had been given in His name would be protected. Jesus desired that all Christians enjoy the unity and great benefits of one body or one church. (John 17:20-21) His desire was that we be protected as we serve in the one body. The name of Jesus is grand because it was given by God through the angel Gabriel and it is the only name under heaven in which salvation and protection are found. It is a dishonor to the great saving name of Jesus for the religious world to be so divided.
Pardon through the name of Jesus. Pardon is through the beautiful name of Jesus. In Psalm 25:11 we read, "For Your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity, for it is great." What is it? "For the name's sake of God, pardon my iniquity." David pleaded with God for pardon through God's name sake. Many call the name of Jesus but still fail to obey Him. Jesus said, "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46) The Bible teaches that Jesus "became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him." (Hebrews 5:9) Those that come to God in the name of Jesus are those that humbly submit in obedience to His will. They have pardon, protection and comfort.
To have pardon, Jesus said we must hear and learn God's word. "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me." (John 6:44-45)
To have pardon, Jesus said we must believe or have faith. "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." (John 8:24)
To have pardon, Jesus said we must repent of sins. "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3)
To have pardon, Jesus said we must confess Him as Lord. "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 10:32)
To have pardon, Jesus said we must be baptized to be saved.
"He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not
believe will be condemned." (Mark
Remember, the name of Jesus will bring pardon only to those who obey Him.
Reverence through the name of Jesus. The name of Jesus produces reverence in our heart. "O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth!" (Psalm 8:9) Psalm 8:1 says, "O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, who have set Your glory above the heavens!" All should come to see Jesus Christ and give reverence to Him. As servants of God we are on earth to lift Him up.
It is our purpose to glorify God through the name of Jesus. The name of Jesus is a name to be respected or revered. We pray through the name of Christ and we serve in His name. "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (Colossians 3:17.)
Courage, justification, trust and life. The name of Jesus brings courage for those who are discouraged. Hear the words of 2 Chronicles 14:11. "And Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said, Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!" Asa could, in complete confidence, look to God for help, courage, trust, strength and even His life.
We must put our trust in God and the name of Jesus. "And
those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not
forsaken those who seek You." (Psalm
The impact of the Christian in the world is a powerful testimony to the reality of Jesus and the power of His name. No wonder that the apostle Paul said, "For I determined not to know anything among you, except Jesus Christ, and him crucified." (I Corinthians 2:2)
Peter also said, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there
is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts