Jesus Name
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; there’s just something about that name
Master, Savior, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain;
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, let all Heaven and earth proclaim
Kings and kingdoms will all pass away
But there’s something about that name
Chances are you start singing that lyric as soon as you see the song. That was released by the Gaither Trio in 2005. And it’s a perfect expression of something that’s pretty important and pretty consistent here at WBVN: you hear the name of Jesus quite often. I will suggest in this letter not only is it important but even necessary to be sung on this station. Necessary in the sense that it’s the one phrase by which we must approach God the Father, God the Spirit, God the Son. It’s the God-given name that bridges being ‘born again’ and ushers in the ability to be sensitive to the Spirit of Christ. No other name will do that. That name introduces us to the Way, the Truth and the Life. Our goodness does not do that. Changing our mind about what is good and evil does not produce that. Agreeing with who he said he was, is, and is to come ushers in His very presence.
Names used in the Bible context for God are hugely descriptive. In Genesis the first reference is Elohim, sharing the name meaning Creator. Jehovah references the eternal covenant. Lord, healer and shepherd. Jesus, in its original language, expressed ‘to save’. God first reveals His name to Moses as YHWH (Yahweh) in the Book of Exodus (3: 14-15): Literally, I Am Who I Am.
It is the personal name of the ‘Man of Sorrows’ who humbled Himself, suffered incarnation and death. However: ‘Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name…Jesus Christ Lord.’ (Phil 2:9) In his Epistles Paul emphasized a name change. A change in emphasis, signifying a difference in the name Jesus Christ after being raised from the dead, he teaches referring to the post-resurrection of Jesus more correctly as Christ Jesus. A change from Jesus made flesh to a Jesus now being Christ and Lord.
At the station we try our best to be Christ centered (Jesus centered). I’ve described our daily playlist similar to a paragraph on the page of a book. Every line in the paragraph may not literally express that Name specifically, but we attempt to have 14 or 15 songs an hour declare Jesus, ‘spotlighting’ that name. We try to make sure the whole paragraph (of songs) declare that Name. Musically things have changed over the 35 years of ministry here but we haven’t compromised any of our original purpose: to focus on Jesus. We trust today just as much as ever that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Jesus). (Rom 10:17)
In Hebrews Paul teaches us that we’re to make Jesus the captain of our faith. It’s the only time in the Bible that original word ‘captain’ is used in scripture. It refers uniquely to ‘beginning, origin, leader, founder, first-father, chief or author’. ‘But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.'(Heb. 2:9-10)
There is something about that name! It’s not simply an Abracadabra to be used on the Gospel stage word. It’s not used to define a simple ethic or morality. Ethic and morality can be defined by cultural religions and philosophers. Jesus is more associated with the authority given by The Father.
Jesus is more than a savior, he is The Savior.
Jesus was the name given by God through an angel to reference his earthly life and ministry. (Matt 1:21) The inscription hanging on the cross was ‘this is Jesus’. In Acts 2:36, God named him and glorified that name, anointed him both Lord and Christ at the crucifixion. Jesus- there is something about that name! The scene of his humiliation and death became the scene of his Glory. ‘At the name of Jesus, uniquely at that name, every knee should bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ (Jesus Anointed) is Lord.’ (with power and authority)…(Phil. 2: 10-11) Throughout the Epistles we are encouraged to specifically pray ‘in Jesus name’..
Jesus is the ‘spot on’ monogram for our changed hearts, and being new creatures. The Gospel of Jesus can’t be disguised to make it more consumer friendly. Jesus did not whisper much of his Gospel, he boldly shared the obvious secrets of having Life as the Father would have it for us. Jesus is the single interpretation of the heart of God and the only window into the mystery of God and His creation. No other pronouns qualify here, Jesus is the only answer. No synonyms, or winks, we only have a declaration that Jesus was exactly who he said he was, did exactly what he said he would do, and sat down at the right hand of God.
We don’t have a Savior that teaches and speaks truthful things; we have a Savior that speaks THE TRUTH. He is the eternal entry into the relationship between Creator and created. With this Gospel we’re not to simply change our minds into some higher good. We are to glorify and declare his name; we are to represent, not our mind, but the mind of Christ. Scripture says we need to be as wise as serpents and be as harmless (pure) as doves…’beware’ is its scriptural warning! (Matt 10:16) We need to share Love of God with great compassion and share it with little hesitation. 2Tim 3:5 reminds us we can have a ‘form of godliness but deny the power thereof’…but watch out, be careful, distance yourself from that (my words). The word power there refers to the accomplishment of the full Divine Purpose of God.
At BVN we’re most comfortable with lyrics that are specific of Jesus.. That is Master, Savior, Redeemer, Lord, Comforter, Prince of Peace, Immanuel…no other name is given but that name. We talk of Worship, Praise, and Hymns all the time here. Worship most often associated with kneeling or standing in awe. Praise can be simply expressed ‘applause’. Hymns, in our case, qualified to simply be songs to tell of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. We are that focused on Jesus. Most everyone I know would express their first encounter of believing to the simple hearing that name: Jesus.
So many times I can remember simply praying one word: Jesus. That wasn’t me shortcutting a prayer, it was simply the most complete expression of faith I could muster: ‘I trust Jesus.’ That was the most encompassing word I could use to cover everything I wanted to say.
Jesus came to share his Father’s story, to reveal the mystery of the Gospel. His mission was to share what his Father does, who He is, the very nature of God. Jesus defined Him. There was no need for Jesus to be coy. He was obligated to The Truth; we should do no less.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; there’s just something about that name
Master, Savior, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain;
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, let all Heaven and earth proclaim
Kings and kingdoms will all pass away
But there’s something about that name