Day 34, Friday (April 12) - Living into His Name

Posted on: April 12, 2019
by: Gerrit Dawson, Senior Pastor

NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES

Savior
Day 34 Friday

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EXPLORE THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST

For us there is one God, the Father,
from whom are all things and for whom we exist,
and one Lord, Jesus Christ,
through whom are all things and through whom we exist (1 Corinthians 8: 6).

LUKE 2: 11

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ

the Lord.

1 JOHN 4: 14

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

2 TIMOTHY 1: 8-10

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

CONSIDER

On Day 1 we explored that Jesus’ very name means “The LORD saves.” Today we will look at a related name. Jesus is Savior.

In the first century, Caesar Augustus claimed for himself the title “The Savior of the World.” What edge does that fact give to the angel proclamation in Luke 2 about the baby born in a manger? What challenge to the way of the world might 1 John 4 have been offering?

In the last sentence of this passage from Paul’s letter to Timothy, what does he claim that Jesus has done in his role of Savior?

In this same passage, when does Paul say our Savior first acted toward us? So what is past, what is present and what is future about our Savior’s work?

What does it do for your sense of this day to know that you have been given Christ’s own purpose and grace from before the world was made?

What does it say to the challenges you face to know that in Christ death has already been abolished?

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PRAY THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

Begin with the Jesus Prayer. Pray it reflectively several times, for yourself or on behalf of another.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Then pray the day’s prayer slowly and repeatedly for at least a minute (that’s about seven times). Allow the prayer to take you into the meaning of the day’s facet of Jesus’ name. Pray it for yourself and/or on behalf of another. Take your time and trust this process!

Lord Jesus Christ, who came into the world to save sinners,

of whom I am the foremost, have mercy on me.

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LIVE INTO THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

He has granted to us his precious and very great promises,
so that through them you might become partakers of his divine
nature . . . For this very reason, supplement your faith with
virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness,
brotherly affection and love (2 Peter 1: 4-7).

2 TIMOTHY 1: 13-14

Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

2 PETER 3: 18

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

CONSIDER

Though we are already saved by our Savior, what urgent tasks do these passages lay upon us? By what power does Paul tell Timothy we can do these things? Will you call upon the Spirit right now to guard the good deposit of the gospel within you and grow the seed into maturity?

Close by singing this famous hymn of dependence on our Savior:

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee;

Let the water and the blood, from thy riven side which flowed,

Be of sin the double cure, cleanse me from its guilt and power.

Not the labors of my hands can fulfill thy law’s demands;

Could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow,

All for sin could not atone; thou must save and thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling;

Naked, come to thee for dress, helpless, look to thee for grace;

Foul, I to the fountain fly, wash me Savior, or I die!

While I draw this fleeting breath, when mine eyelids close in death,

When I soar to worlds unknown, see thee on thy judgment throne,