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Day 29, Sunday (April 7) - Living into His Name
Posted on: April 7, 2019
by: Gerrit Dawson, Senior Pastor
by: Gerrit Dawson, Senior Pastor
NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES
Unique among religions, we worship a God who emptied himself of all privilege and power to come among us an ordinary man. Paul says he “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant . . . becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil. 2: 7-8). Jesus was abused and abased for our sake. But the Father did not leave him in such a state: “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name” (Phil. 2: 9). So now Jesus is the Lord of all the cosmos. The infant in the manger, the man tortured on the cross, is revealed as the Ruler of all things. He is exalted on high.
This week’s mosaic depicts Christ as Pantocrator, the ruler of all things, things “in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (Phil. 2: 10). Often in Christian art, a painting of Christ Pantocrator is found in the center of the high ceiling or dome of a church. The congregation feels how Jesus is ruling over all.
Our image, however, is from the side of the long sanctuary of S. Apollinare Nuovo. It faces the image of the infant Jesus on Mary’s lap that we studied in week one. The incarnate God and the reigning King look across to each other. Jesus’ beginning among us and his final destiny embrace the congregation. We live contained in the story between Jesus’ birth and his exaltation.
The row of mosaics on this side of the church depict those who gave their life in martyrdom making their way to cast their crowns before the true King. Each one streams to the throne to acknowledge the Name above all names.
This week we explore the most exalted titles for Jesus given to him in the New Testament. Taking these names on our lips, reaching upward with them in our minds, and letting them take root deep in our hearts will lift us up as we exalt Jesus.
My God!
Day 29 Sunday
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EXPLORE THE NAME OF THE LORD 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).
JOHN 20: 24-29
Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
2 PETER 1: 1
Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. . . .
CONSIDER
We call him “Doubting Thomas,” but that does him a disservice. Thomas, once he saw the resurrected Jesus, spoke the most exultant words of faith yet uttered about Jesus: “My Lord and my God!” Thomas got down to the heart of it. The man who got up from the dead is Lord of all. The man who defeated death and the devil is God.
The earliest Christians worshiped Jesus as divine. Though it would have been blasphemy for Jews to give such devotion to a mere man, they felt compelled. Though it would have seemed absurd to the Greek culture around them that flesh and blood could be given the place of exaltation, Jesus’ disciples could not withhold their worship.
Thomas said it as clearly and passionately as any ever could. Peter echoed it in the opening of his letter, too. This is our bottom line affirmation. Beholding Jesus crucified and risen we cry out, “My Lord and my God!”
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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, my Lord and my God, I am yours, and yours alone.
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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).
TITUS 2: 11-14
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
CONSIDER
Paul also heartily affirmed that Jesus is God. He rejoiced that “our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” appeared in the world. He showed up on the world stage.
To redeem us from the old life and start in us a new life as a people passionate to do good works for God in thanksgiving for his salvation. How will you live this passion of new life today?
Close by singing these verses from this beloved hymn,
Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,
O thou of God and Man the Son: Thee will I cherish,
Thee will I honor, my soul’s glory, joy and crown.
Beautiful Savior! Lord of the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man! Glory and honor,
Praise, adoration, now and forever more be thine.
Anonymous. Fairest Lord Jesus. 17th c. German Hymn.
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