The Name above all names
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11
The Lord Jesus Christ did not come to existence as a baby in Bethlehem for He always existed. “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God... So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness” (John 1:1, 14). To become man was humbling but to become a servant was more humbling. This is what the Lord Jesus Christ did and He died as a criminal on the cross though He did not sin. “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Though sinless and no sin to pay the penalty for yet He took our place so He could pay for our penalty. “But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing” (Galatians 3:13). In His humility and obedience to the Father’s will, He was exalted to His rightful position of honor and glory. His Name was above every name. The name “Jesus” emphasized his humanity. The believers and disciples addressed Him as “Lord.” The name “Christ” means the anointed One and the equivalent of the Hebrew word, “Messiah.” The name “Christ” refers to His divinity. All the names are of paramount importance for they signify to us the exalted place He should have in our lives. He should be the focus of our worship for He is no longer a servant but our Lord. In His appearance in His coming every creature will acknowledge Him and will bow before Him. All the heavenly beings will honor Him. Same with Satan and his demonic followers as well as the people that opposed and rejected Him will bow before Him. “I have sworn by my own name; I have spoken the truth, and I will never go back on my word: Every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to me.” The people will declare, “The Lord is the source of all my righteousness and strength.” And all who were angry with him will come to him and be ashamed” (Isaiah 45:23-24). Those who oppose and rejected Him, though they will recognize the Lord, yet it will not mean their salvation for there will be no second chance after death. “And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Those who will continue to offer worship to Him are those that recognized Him as Lord and Savior of their lives. Do not ignore His offer of salvation while there is time. “So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak?” (Hebrews 2:3).
Blessings,
Noel De Guzman
www.my-wbc.com
