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.
4 comments:
I don't think that we live in a world where we understand the value and authority connected with names in past cultures. Nor do we understand the naming conventions and power of living up to one's name in past cultures.
My biggest issue with the "Jesus name" thing is (as you noted) what it means, and where it came from.
YHWH specifically told Mary/Joseph to name the child "YHWH saves", yet 21st century yahoos insist that Jesus did not come to fulfill the name He was given, but that He came to push for social reform.
The "name" is not "Jesus", but the authority He holds. Like when in the days of kings, if someone was arriving "in the name of the king", it meant they had all the authority of the king, not in his literal name. It's why it's annoying when you hear these people say, "I pray in the name of Yeshua, because that's the name that has power." You're missing the point of bowing down at the name of Jesus!
David, you are correct that focusing on the specific "name" is missing the point. While the name is important for what it means and what it says about YHWY's purpose in sending Jesus, nitpicking between Jesus and Jeshua is pointless. It's the same person and it's more about the authority He has than the spelling.
If “Jesus” is the Greek form of “Joshua” (or “Yeshua” in Hebrew), then clearly the name is not in and of itself special, as the Bible mentions many others named “Joshua” and “Jesus.” What gives the name of Jesus of Nazareth ultimate significance is the addition of “Christ” (“anointed one”). It is the title that is significant, as He proved to be the Savior, the Anointed One, the Messiah--the One through whom God saves. He was the incarnate Son of God, who is God with us--briefly in the flesh ~2,000 years ago and now in Spirit until He returns. As already pointed out, the power is in the divine Person of Jesus Christ and His position of authority within the Holy Trinity, not His earthly moniker (albeit divinely designated). Those who invoke the name of Jesus almost as a magical incantation with supernatural powers (like many a false teacher does) are revealing an inferior grasp of theology and proper reverence, in my view.
“Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. There’s just something about that name.” It’s not the name; it’s the One with the Name.
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