What's In a Name?

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness, And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11

When the CEO walks by, people pretty much at least pretend to be productive and usually get seriously productive in their work. Why? Because the CEO is the top authority. He/She can hire/fire, promote/demote, make life on the job better/worse depending on their response to you. The CEO is someone to whom you respond, “Yes, Sir!” The name is related to the position of authority.

Philippians 2:10 says, “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth…” That ‘should’ is not a suggestion. It is the past tense of ‘shall’ meaning that there won’t be an option.

In John 18:4-6, when Jesus was arrested, an interesting thing happened.

“Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.

“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.”

The group carrying the weapons and doing the arresting fell to the ground – involuntarily! Yet, Jesus allowed them to arrest him and put him on the cross. Why? Because of his great love for us. It was the way to open the relationships between us and God.

I have done nothing to deserve this great love – in fact I fail badly many times at trying to be good and do the right things. I deserve nothing, yet Jesus gave me everything – “the right to be called children of God!” (John 1:12) I am so grateful for his awesome love for me. How can I do anything but bow before him and honor him with my life?