Christ Jesus

What is in a name?

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_____________, Princess of Cambridge

As we wait with curiosity for the name of the Princess of Cambridge, I wonder about the significance of a name, and taking time to choose just the right one.   Even God waited on hearing the names of the animals when He “brought them to the man to see what he would name them.”  (Genesis 2:19)  God called Abram, commanding him to leave his country, his people and his home to go to a land God wanted to show him, promising several things, including to make his name great.  (Genesis 12:1-3)  Twenty four years later God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, meaning ‘father of many’, as He made His covenant with Abraham to make his name great by making him father of many nations, including kings.  This is an everlasting covenant for all of Abraham’s generations: to be their God.  The Bible details what many names mean, and their significance for the one named.  Another example, Isaac, meaning laughter, was named to reflect on the time when his mother, Sarah, laughed upon hearing that she would bear a child.  (Genesis 18)  Sarah’s advanced age points again to the waiting game!

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The greatest name is the one God gave Himself: ‘I am’.

He qualifies (for those of us in need of clarification) what ‘I am’ means throughout scripture.  Here are a few of His definitions.

“I am God Almighty.” Genesis 17:1

“I am the Lord who makes you holy.” Exodus 31:13, Lev. 20:8

“Glory in His holy name.” 2 Chronicles 16:10

“I am compassionate.” Exodus 22:27

“And there he called upon the name of the Lord, the Eternal God.” Genesis 21:33

“I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion.” Zechariah 1:14

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The Name above all Names, the great I am, Jesus, further illustrates and embodies what “I am” means in His life and His fulfillment of scripture.

“I am the bread of life.” John 6:35, 41, 48, 51

“I am from Him and He sent me.” John 7:29

“I am the light of the world.” John 8:12

“I am the gate for the sheep.” John 10:7

“I am the Good Shepherd.” John 8:11, 14

“I am the resurrection and the life.” John 11:25

“I am the way and the truth and the life.” John 14:6

“I am the vine and you are the branches.” John 15:5

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Jesus, the King of Kings

“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 2:10-11

It is by the Name of Jesus we pray, should live, and are saved.

What is your name?  Who do you say Jesus is?  How do you see Him defined by His Name?  How do you apply God’s definitions of who He is to your life in Christ?

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Going back to London…I am naturally pulling for the new Princess to be named Mary:) 

(all photos in this post are from http://www.telegraph.co.uk)

Traveling Royally

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The Royal Windsors traveled to New Zealand on Monday

This week we see the Royals have made it Down Under safely on their commercial flight from London to Dubai, then to Sydney for an Air Force transfer to Wellington, New Zealand.  Across all of those miles and hours in a steel canister, Prince George came out as the perfect smiling baby in his mother’s arms!  Well done!  Today, Tuesday, the family has a day to rest before continuing their adventures in hiking, yacht racing, visiting hospitals, and taking tea, to name a few activities during their three week journey.  Their priorities as parents will be evident as they return early each afternoon to spend time George.

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(Photo: Danny Martindale, WireImage)

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(Photo: Danny Martindale, WireImage)

 

The King of Kings travels to Jerusalem on Sunday

This Sunday, Palm Sunday, we mark the day Jesus traveled to Jerusalem on a donkey as prophesied in Zechariah 9:9, “see your King comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”  Jesus, as described in Matthew 21:5, allowed two disciples and a villager near Jerusalem to participate in this fulfillment of prophecy.  The very large crowd saw Jesus riding into town on this donkey (not a stallion, but a dinky donkey!) and immediately responded to Him as His royal subjects in reverence, awe, and enthusiasm.  I wonder how many in this large crowd traveled distances to come see this King of Kings parade down the dusty road to Jerusalem. Two years ago I traveled 5000 miles to stand in a crowd to see Queen Elizabeth II and her family parade down the Mall for her Diamond Jubilee.  I understand the desire to get a glimpse of Royalty!

Jesus’ priority was consistent with how He lived His life on earth: He came to do the work His Father had for Him to do, i.e. “for God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:17.  This Son has been talked about, and read about through the prophets since as early as 700 B.C. by Isaiah, and is referenced in Genesis as co-creator with God as Genesis 1:26 uses the plural pronoun “us” in identifying the creators of man.  (That is an interesting lesson of tying the Old and New Testaments together in consistent harmony.)  Isaiah uses titles such as a child is born, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, a shoot from Jesse.  Isaiah 35 indicates actions this Messiah will take, like opening the eyes of the blind (John 9), unstopping the ears of the deaf (Mt. 11:14-15), and causing the lame to leap (Mt. 9:1-8).  All of these miracles were really signs to alert the prophecy educated public that this is the One, let your eyes be opened!

Jesus was meticulous in carrying out the Father’s plan.  In so doing, He accomplished all things in love.  He carefully created relationships, and maintained them faithfully.  We see how He called His disciples out of boats, an outcast woman at the well, a paralyzed man from his mat, a blind man to wash in the Pool of Siloam, and even a tax collector to be changed and follow Him.  They all were changed, and did follow Him!  As they followed Jesus, their relationship with Him grew because Jesus intentionally and continuously instructed, loved and prayed with them.  Not only was He an example to follow, but He interacted with them as The Example.

How are you being an example to those around you?  How are you intentionally interacting to deepen and grow your relationships?  What titles might be used to describe you, and what actions have you taken that mimic the One you follow?  As you travel the road to your church this Sunday, ask yourself why are you drawn there this Sunday, and what will you continue to do the next week, and the next?  The first century followers of Christ quickly abandoned Him after He entered the City.  How will you maintain your relationship with the One who came to save the world even after Easter Sunday, the easiest day to show your title as “Christian”?

Jesus shows His priority clearly in fulfilling God’s plan to save the world from sin.  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge show their priority as a strong, devoted family in keeping George not only close, but apart of their day, unlike past generations in their travels.  What are your priorities, and how would anyone know by seeing your actions?

May your road to Jerusalem this week reveal the King on the prophesied donkey, and your response to Him.

“Your attitude should be that of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5

 

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PS for some New York travel, restaurant, and photo ideas, see my new page, Regal Travel.