I hear these songs about "the name of Jesus." There's "In Jesus Name" where they sing, "I speak the name of Jesus over you" and "No Sweeter Name" by Kari Jobe. There's "What a Beautiful Name" and Chris Tomlin's "The Name of Jesus." And you wonder ... if you're a bit off like me ... what's so special about "the name of Jesus." I mean ... in a humorous sense ... like "My gardener's name is Jesus"? But, seriously, is there actually something in the name?
No ... and yes. There is nothing particularly great in "Jesus" as a name. And, yet ... there is. The name means "YHWH saves." (The Hebrew name in the Old Testament is "Joshua.") Now, that is special. But, there's more. Paul wrote that because of His humility (Php 2:5-7), "God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Php 2:9-11). His name is ... "the name which is above every name." In what sense? Well, not because the spelling is so special or the word is beautiful. It's because of its value ... "Lord." That ... is the name above every name.
When we think of "Jesus" as "YHWH saves," as "God with us," there is no sweeter name. When we consider Him Lord and glorify God, there's power in that name. It's easy to be light in our celebration of Jesus's name, but when we're talking about a name that expresses who He is ... it actually is the name above every name.
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