WORTHY OF YOUR NAME

It really is unfathomable, if it weren’t so true, that the same One who “stood in our place” also “stands by our side.”

Even today, even now, wherever we find ourselves today, in the best of times, in tough circumstances, and in every moment in between. Scripture says in Hebrews 1 that Jesus “is the image of the invisible God and the exact representation of his being.” Colossians 2 says he is the fullness of the Deity in bodily form and that he holds all things together by the word of his power. And yet. With all the power of God at his disposal as he walked on earth, fully God, yet fully man, he instead emptied himself. He chose to make himself nothing. Chose to consider his equality with God not a thing to be grasped. He was scorned, condemned, scourged, and killed. He was sinless yet became sin for us, paying the ultimate penalty for all mankind. He gave his perfect, holy life for us, a ransom payment to rescue us from the sin which held us captive and would surely kill us unless the price was paid in full. But that isn’t why Jesus is worthy. He is worthy because death couldn’t hold him and three days later he was raised to life, by the power of the Spirit, bringing with him any and all who would put their faith in him, that all who call on his name will be saved.

There are so many “names” vying for our attention: the name of our boss, girlfriend, husband, or son. The names on our clothing, our degree, or the car we drive. But only One name is worthy of our time, our energy, our affection, our entire lives: Jesus. Scripture says God has exalted him to the highest place, giving him the name above all names.

Father, thank you for Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of my faith, Maker, Ransom, and Savior. Let this truth sink into my mind and heart and reflect in the way I live today. I want to live a life of worship that brings you glory, please help me do that today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

GLORIOUS DAY

You called my name, and I ran out of that grave!

We as followers of Jesus can proclaim this because of who He is and what He has done. Sin doesn’t just make us bad; it makes us dead. We were all in desperate need of a Savior. Not only did Jesus die for our sin, but he was raised to everlasting life! He was the first to run out of that grave, and when we trust him with our lives we are right there with him in glory—eternal life both now and forever.

In John 11, Jesus raises a dead man to life, crying out at his tomb: “Lazarus, come out!”  He says the same to you and to me:  “_________, come out!” He knows your name, and calls you out of your grave. Get up! Unwind the grave clothes of sin and shame, you have been set free, raised to glorious life because of Jesus’ resurrection. All the chains of your past and the worries for your future have been swallowed up forever in victory. Scripture says that the very same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead is living in each of us who follow Jesus. This is a reality for you today. You can therefore declare confidently that God has called your name, and Jesus has defeated whatever threatens to entangle, discourage, or thwart you from this promise today.

Jesus, because of you, I have a future and my eyes are open. Thank you for calling my name! I worship you and give you glory. Let me not be taken down by apathy, entangled by old sins, or paralyzed by fear and discouragement. I believe chains break at the weight of your glory. Help me remember who you are, whose I am, and live a life that brings you glory. In your name, Amen.